LYON: France overcame a slow start to beat neighbours Belgium 2-0 on Monday as Randal Kolo Muani’s close-in strike and Ousmane Dembele’s left-footed drive handed them their first points of the Nations League campaign.
It was a positive response by the French, who changed eight of the starting players, including Kylian Mbappe, after being beaten 3-1 by Italy in Paris last Friday in their opening Group A2 fixture.
But they had to weather early attacks by their visitors before settling into a rhythm and then imposing themselves on the contest.
Italy won the other Group A2 fixture against Israel in Budapest on Monday to open up a three-point advantage.
Belgium, who beat Israel 3-1 in Hungary last Friday, share second spot with France on three points.