Belgium vs France

 [Storyline] Belgium vs France

Rivalry Renewed: Belgium Seeks Redemption Against France in Key Nations League Clash

As Belgium and France face off in Brussels today, both teams are eager to close the gap on Group A2 leaders Italy in the UEFA Nations League. Belgium is looking to shake off a decade of disappointment in major tournaments, having mustered just four points from their first three matches. With the "Golden Generation" largely phased out, the new wave of talent is determined to make its mark.

France, meanwhile, has struggled to find consistency since their near-miss at the 2022 World Cup. Though they reached the semifinals of Euro 2024, doubts lingered among fans about their title prospects, especially after suffering a setback against Italy at the start of the Nations League.

Both sides enter this local rivalry with a degree of confidence. France recently secured a convincing 4-1 victory over Israel in Budapest, even without star forward Kylian Mbappe. For their part, Belgium showed resilience by fighting back to earn a 2-2 draw in Italy despite trailing by two goals in the first half.

The match carries extra weight for Belgium, who seek revenge after France eliminated them from the Euros in a low-quality encounter decided by Jan Vertonghen's goal. Last month, France bested Belgium 2-0 in the Nations League following a disappointing 3-1 loss to Italy, showcasing their ability to bounce back.

The group is finely balanced, with Italy leading with seven points, France following closely with six, and Belgium in third with four. Historically, matches between these rivals have been evenly contested, with France edging ahead with 28 wins to Belgium's 30, and 19 matches ending in draws. Notably, France has dominated their recent encounters, winning the last four since the 2018 World Cup.

Belgium will be without key players Amadou Onana, Romelu Lukaku, and Kevin De Bruyne. In contrast, France welcomes back Christopher Nkunku, who marked his return to the national side with his first international goal against Israel. If he can replicate that form, he could provide valuable support to Mbappe, lightening the load on the French superstar's shoulders as they look to secure a vital win.