Belgium and France are set to face off tonight in Brussels for what promises to be an exciting UEFA Nations League showdown. For Belgium, this match represents more than just three points—it’s a chance to finally break their competitive losing streak against a French team that has been their nemesis for decades. Despite boasting one of the most talented generations in their history, Belgium has yet to defeat France in a non-friendly match, making this encounter a do-or-die scenario for the Red Devils.
A Rivalry of Giants
France and Belgium are no strangers to high-stakes matches, with both sides widely considered among Europe’s elite teams. France, the 2018 World Cup champions and two-time European champions, have enjoyed consistent success on the international stage. Belgium, on the other hand, has had one of the most talent-packed squads over the past decade, featuring the likes of Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Eden Hazard. However, their golden generation has yet to deliver the major international title that their quality suggests they should have won by now.
In terms of head-to-head matchups, France has been the dominant force. Out of ten competitive meetings, the French have emerged victorious in every match except for a 2015 friendly, which Belgium won 4-3. All other non-friendly games have ended in disappointment for the Red Devils, including two key recent encounters. France secured a 1-0 win over Belgium in the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup, followed by a 1-0 victory at EURO 2024. Most recently, France defeated Belgium 2-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Nations League group stage just last month.
The Missing Mbappe Factor
One of the most intriguing aspects of tonight’s match is the absence of France’s star forward, Kylian Mbappe. Mbappe, widely regarded as one of the best players in the world, has been left out of the squad due to fitness issues. His speed, creativity, and goal-scoring prowess have been critical to France’s success in recent years, and his absence could offer Belgium a rare opportunity to take advantage.
Without Mbappe, France’s attacking line will likely rely on players like Randal Kolo Muani and Ousmane Dembele, both of whom played key roles in their 2-0 win over Belgium in the first leg. Although the loss of Mbappe may lighten the load on Belgium’s defense, the Red Devils will still need to contend with France’s impressive midfield and well-drilled team tactics.
Key Midfield Battle: Camavinga and Tchouameni
While Mbappe’s absence might make life slightly easier for Red Devils defense, France’s strength lies in its formidable midfield, particularly their Real Madrid duo of Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni. Both players have been in sensational form for club and country, controlling games with their athleticism, passing range, and tactical intelligence.
Camavinga, known for his versatility and ability to break up play while launching counterattacks, is a key cog in Didier Deschamps’ midfield. His dynamic partnership with Tchouameni offers France excellent control in the middle of the park. Tchouameni, with his defensive solidity and ball-winning ability, allows France to dictate the tempo of the game, frustrating opposition attacks and enabling France to transition from defense to offense seamlessly.
For Belgium, the challenge will be to disrupt this duo and find ways to control the midfield. Players like Youri Tielemans and Kevin De Bruyne will need to be at their creative best to unlock France’s defense while ensuring that their own midfield doesn’t get overrun. De Bruyne, in particular, is Belgium’s key to success. His vision, passing range, and ability to create goal-scoring opportunities will be crucial if the Red Devils are to break down the French defense.
Belgium’s Desperation to End the Streak
Belgium finds themselves in a precarious position in their UEFA Nations League group. With this match being the 11th competitive meeting between the two nations, Belgium’s inability to beat France in such fixtures has become a point of frustration for fans and players alike. Tonight’s match represents Belgium’s last real chance to climb into the top two of the group and progress to the knockout stage of the competition.
Belgium is coming off a thrilling 2-2 draw against Italy, where they managed to recover from a two-goal deficit thanks to their well-executed set-piece routines. While that result showed their resilience, facing France will be an even more formidable task. Red Devils defenders will need to be at their best to contain the French attack, and their ability to capitalize on set-pieces could be a key factor in tonight’s match.
The weight of expectation will be on Belgium’s star players, particularly Courtois and De Bruyne, to deliver in what could be one of their final opportunities to achieve international success with this golden generation. Romelu Lukaku, Belgium’s all-time leading goal scorer, will also need to step up and be clinical in front of goal if Belgium is to have any hope of breaking their streak of competitive losses against France.
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What’s at Stake for Both Teams?
For France, a win tonight would further solidify their dominance over Belgium and secure their place in the knockout stages of the Nations League. While the absence of Mbappe is notable, France has enough depth and quality in their squad to continue their march toward another international title.
For Belgium, this is more than just a group stage match—it’s a chance to prove that they can finally beat their longtime rivals when it truly matters. A win tonight could reignite their hopes of progressing in the Nations League and restore belief that this golden generation still has what it takes to win major international silverware.
As Belgium and France prepare to face off in their 11th competitive meeting, the stakes could not be higher. Belgium, despite their wealth of talent, has never defeated France in a non-friendly match, and tonight’s game represents their last chance to keep their Nations League hopes alive. With Kylian Mbappe missing, the Red Devils may have a window of opportunity, but France’s midfield strength, led by Camavinga and Tchouameni, will still pose a significant challenge. For Red Devils , this is a must-win match if they are to break their competitive losing streak and take a step closer to Nations League glory.
