Next-Gen Stars Take Center Stage in Nations League
France and Belgium meet again on Monday at the Stade de France, one week after Michael Olise decided the first game in Brussels. France are top of Group A1 with seven points from three games. Belgium have six points and a better goal difference, while Italy have four and Turkiye have none.
The first game was tight for most of it. France had the better chances and Desire Doue hit the crossbar in the first half, but Belgium were dangerous on the counter, with De Ketelaere setting up Lukebakio and Maignan having to make a save. It looked like a goalless draw until the 88th minute, when Olise, who had only been on the pitch for twelve minutes, ran from inside his own half past four defenders and finished into the bottom corner.
France then drew 1-1 with Italy at home on Friday. Olise put them ahead with a free kick in the 55th minute. Italy equalised after Bastoni pressed a mistake while France were playing out from the back, and Dayot Upamecano was sent off about five minutes from the end.
Upamecano is suspended for this game. Matteo Guendouzi is suspended too, Warren Zaire-Emery is out with a thigh injury, and Kylian Mbappe is out with a knee injury from the Turkiye game. Most previews expect Kalulu, Jacquet, Lacroix and Truffert in front of Maignan, with Camavinga and Cherki in midfield next to Da Cunha or Rabiot, and Olise, Dembele and Doue in attack. That is a guess until the lineups come out.
Belgium have won two of their three group games and lost the other one to France. On Friday they beat Turkiye 3-0 in Liege. Kevin De Bruyne scored in the 10th and 59th minutes and Romelu Lukaku got the third, his 94th goal for Belgium. The game was closer than the score, though. Turkiye had 23 shots to Belgium's 17 and the Belgian goalkeeper made eight saves.
Belgium are missing players too. De Bruyne got booked late against Turkiye for reacting to a foul, and he and captain Youri Tielemans are both suspended. Coach Mark van Bommel said De Bruyne was frustrated and did not realise what the card would cost. Romeo Lavia and Nicolas Raskin are expected to play in midfield, with Hans Vanaken as another option. Senne Lammens should stay in goal because Thibaut Courtois is not available for the Nations League.
So both teams have something to rebuild. France have to sort out their back line without Upamecano. Belgium have to find a way to create chances without De Bruyne and Tielemans. De Ketelaere and Lukebakio should lead the attack, and PSG's Mika Godts could be facing some of his club teammates. Olise, Cherki and Doue will test a Belgian midfield that has lost its two most experienced players.
The all-time record is level at 30 wins each and 19 draws from 79 games, but France have won the last six. With this many players missing, it could come down to which team adjusts better. If France win they go four points clear of Belgium. If Belgium win they move above France.
France 4-1 Belgium was played in the League A - 4 of Nations League 2026/27. France sit 1st in the table, while Belgium sit 3rd.
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