Mbappe takes a break as France torments Belgium

GENEVA — Even after leaving star forward Kylian Mbappe on the bench, France handed Belgium yet another loss in the Nations League on Monday.

Two of Mbappe's former Paris Saint-Germain teammates, Randal Kolo Muani and Ousmane Dembele, struck with powerful shots either side of halftime in a 2-0 win in Lyon.

The latest win helped France make up ground at the top-tier of the Nations League after losing to Italy 3-1 in Paris on Friday.

Italy beat Israel 2-1 on Monday and leads Group A2.

Also, Erling Haaland scored a decisive 80th-minute goal in Norway's 2-1 win over Austria, while the City striker's former Salzburg clubmate and Slovenia star Benjamin Sesko scored a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Kazakhstan.

Mbappe was rested from the start, despite France seeking to avoid a third straight loss, two months after a European Championship semifinals exit at the hands of eventual title winner Spain.

Real Madrid's new star had little preseason 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 Mbappe era, starting with the 2018 World Cup semifinals. Les Bleus also eliminated Belgium in the 2021 Nations League semifinals and in the Euro 2024 round of 16.

The outcome was a source of some relief for Deschamps after his side performed poorly against Italy.

"Obviously, I am really happy with our reaction, and what we were able to do against a very good Belgium side that posed us problems in the first 20 minutes, maybe because we were a bit restless given the context," said Deschamps, whose name was jeered by some parts of the crowd when the teams were announced.

"But, our performance on Friday was not the worst, and I am not going to say everything is now wonderful, or that everything has been fixed."

Monday's game was 43 years to the day since France lost a competitive game against Belgium, in 1981 in Brussels in a World Cup qualifier.

Belgium started with fierce intent and France survived a wave of early attacks in an increasingly testy atmosphere. Belgium forward Lois Openda was at the heart of most of the action and confrontations.

France led in the 30th, when Kolo Muani lashed in a shot from close range after goalkeeper Koen Casteels pushed out a weak bouncing effort from Dembele.

Dembele was more purposeful in the 57th, cutting in from the right side of the penalty area to score with a rising left-foot shot. A smiling Mbappe was among the substitutes who went on to celebrate with Dembele and lifted him off his feet.

Haaland waits for winner

Haaland had to wait and wait — after a two-and-a-half-minute video review — for his 32nd international goal in just his 35th appearance.

Tied at 1-1 in the 80th minute, Haaland got the ball near the Austrian penalty spot and, evading two defenders, he poked home a low shot. The VAR check was for a possible offside, but the goal was eventually confirmed.

Norway and Slovenia each has four points at the top of Group B3 ahead of meeting in Oslo on Oct 10.

Hat-trick for Akturkoglu

Turkiye leads Group B4 ahead of Wales on goal difference, with both teams on four points after wins on Monday.

Kerem Akturkoglu scored a hattrick for Turkiye in a 3-1 win over Iceland just days after a move from Galatasaray to Benfica restored his chance to play in the Champions League this season.

Wales followed its goalless draw against Turkiye on Friday by beating Montenegro 2-1 and giving new coach Craig Bellamy his first win.

Wales scored twice in the first three minutes in Montenegro, with Kieffer Moore scoring after just 37 seconds. Harry Wilson then doubled the lead two minutes later with a superb dipping shot from 25 yards.

It was a frenetic game, played amid a Balkan deluge, and Driton Camaj managed to pull one back for the host on 73 minutes. However, some stellar late defense helped Wales secure all three points.

Agencies