Desire Doue completed a moment of magic by hitting a shot against the crossbar as France took on Belgium in the Nations League at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on Monday.
Paris Saint-Germain Winger Doue showed sensational control and quick feet to dance through the Belgium defense and fire a shot past Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens and against the woodwork.
France are looking for back-to-back wins to start their campaign after a 1-0 win in Turkey on Friday, although the injury suffered by Kylian Mbappe while scoring in that game has ruled their captain out of the first four games of their campaign.
Selection of Belgium vs France
Belgium made two changes from their win in Rome, bringing on Joaquin Seys and Romeo Lavia, the latter a full debutant, for Maxim De Cuyper and Nicolas Raskin.
Belgium: Senne Lammens, Brandon Mechele, Romeo Lavia, Kevin De Bruyne, Youri Tielemans, Mika Godts, Nathan Ngoy, Charles De Ketelaere, Joaquin Seys, Diego Moreira, Timothy Castagne
Substitutes: Maarten Vandevoordt, Zeno Debast, Koni De Winter, Maxim De Cuyper, Romelu Lukaku, Lois Openda, Jari De Busser, Dodi Lukebakio, Mandela Keita, Hans Vanaken, Matias Fernandez-Pardo, Nicolas Raskin
France selection against Belgium in the League of Nations
Goalkeeper Mike Maignan and defender Maxence Lacroix were the only France players retained in the starting line-up since the win in Turkey.
France: Mike Maignan, Pierre Kalulu, Eduardo Camavinga, Bradley Barcola, Andy Diouf, Maxence Lacroix, Maghnes Akliouche, Esteban Lepaul, Desire Doue, Lucas Da Cunha, Jeremy Jacquet
Substitutes: Guillaume Restes, Adrien Truffert, Dayot Upamecano, Jules Kounde, Ousmane Dembele, Manu Kone, Ryan Cherki, Michael Olise, Adrien Rabiot, Leny Yoro, Jean Butez
Where to watch Belgium vs France: TV channel, live streaming online
Kick-off on Monday was at 19:45 BST (14:45 ET / 11:45 PT), with live UK coverage on Amazon Prime PPVwhich charges £2.49 for the game.
For worldwide coverage, visit UEFA List of international broadcasters of the League of Nations.
Statistics for Belgium and France from the League of Nations
- Belgium are aiming for their first home win against France since a 2-0 win in World Cup qualifying 45 years ago this month.
- The last time they beat France in June 2015, they won a friendly 4-3 in Paris with current midfielder Youri Tielemans in their squad.
- Of the 78 meetings between the teams, Belgium have won 30 to France’s 29, with 19 draws and a 163-136 aggregate advantage for the Red Devils.
- Robert de Veen, who played for Belgium between 1906 and 1913, is the top scorer in the game’s history with 13 goals, giving the Brugge striker four more than any other player who has ever featured.
- In 38 visits to France, Belgium’s record is 20 W 8 D 10 D with an aggregate advantage of 91-51, with this defeat in 2024 their first competitive home defeat in the game (3 W 1 D)
- France have won the last five editions of the fixture 9-3 on aggregate, although only the most recent of those, a 2-1 victory in Brussels in the Nations League in October 2024, was in Belgium.
- This will be France’s 945th cap since 1904, amassing 481 wins, 195 draws and 268 defeats while scoring 1,711 goals and conceding 1,272.
- Mbappé is France’s all-time leading scorer with 67 goals and became the eighth most capped player against Turkey, equaling Patrick Vieira and one behind Zidane’s tally.
- Each of France’s last 10 goals have come after the 47th minute, with five scored by Mbappe and two by Ousmane Dembele, who has scored each of his own after the 65th minute.
- Les Bleus have scored at least two goals in five of their last seven Nations League games away from France, failing to do so in Turkey and in a 2-0 defeat by Croatia in Split in March 2025, although they won the second leg 2-0 to progress to the semi-finals on penalties.
