GENEVA: Even after leaving star forward Kylian Mbappé on the bench, France handed Belgium yet another loss in the Nations League.
Two of Mbappé’s former teammates at Paris Saint-Germain, Randal Kolo Muani and Ousmane Dembélé, struck with powerful shots either side of half-time in a 2-0 win in Lyon on Monday.
The latest win helped France make up ground in the top-tier Nations League group after losing 3-1 to Italy in Paris on Friday.
Italy beat Israel 2-1 on Monday and leads the four-team group.
Also, Erling Haaland scored a decisive 80th-minute goal in Norway’s 2-1 win over Austria, and Slovenia star Benjamin Šeško scored a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Kazakhstan.
Haaland and Šeško once were clubmates in Austria at Salzburg.
Mbappé was rested from the start, despite France seeking to avoid a third straight loss, two months after a European Championship semi-final exit against eventual title-winners Spain.
Real Madrid’s new star had little pre-season preparation after Euro 2024 and played a full game against Italy.
He was eased in against Belgium by coach Didier Deschamps, who sent on his captain in the 67th minute to replace Kolo Muani.
France extended its winning run over Belgium to four games in the Mbappé era.
Starting in the 2018 World Cup semi-finals, Les Bleus also eliminated Belgium in the 2021 Nations League semi-finals and in the Euro 2024 round of 16.
Monday’s game was 43 years to the day since France last lost a competitive game against Belgium, in 1981 in Brussels during a World Cup qualifier.
Belgium started with fierce intent, and France survived a wave of early attacks in an increasingly testy atmosphere.
Belgium forward Loïs Openda was at the heart of most of the action and confrontations.
France led in the 30th minute when Kolo Muani lashed in a shot from close range after goalkeeper Koen Casteels pushed out a weak, bouncing effort from Dembélé.
Dembélé was more purposeful in the 57th minute, cutting in from the right side of the penalty area to score with a rising left-foot shot.
A smiling Mbappé was among the substitutes who went on to celebrate with Dembélé and lifted him to his feet.
Haaland had to wait and wait — after a 2 ½-minute video review check — for his 32nd career goal for Norway in just his 35th international.
At 1-1 in the 80th minute against Austria, the ball returned to Haaland near the penalty spot, and the striker held off two defenders before poking in a low shot.
The VAR check for a possible offside went on and on before the goal was confirmed.
Norway and Slovenia each have four points at the top of their second-tier group ahead of meeting in Oslo on 10 Oct.
Hat-trick for Aktürkoglu
Turkey leads its second-tier group on goal difference from Wales, with both teams on four points after wins.
Kerem Aktürkoglu scored a hat-trick for Turkey in a 3-1 result over Iceland, just days after his move from Galatasaray to Benfica restored his chance to play in the Champions League this season.
Wales scored twice in the first three minutes in Montenegro and held on for a rain-soaked 2-1 win.
The second goal was a dipping shot from 25 metres by Harry Wilson.