France 2-0 Belgium: Les Bleus player ratings as Ousmane Dembele shines
France were the better, more clinical side in their Nations League clash against Belgium as they secured a 2-0 win in front of their home fans on Monday, September 9. Les Bleus took control of proceedings from the beginning, creating multiple chances to break the dreadlock.
The first half saw both sides share possession fairly equally, however, France outshot their opponents 12-2. Randal Kolo Muani scored the opener in the 29th minute after the ball fell kindly to him just outside the six-yard box.
Les Bleus continued their onslaught in the second half, with Ousmane Dembele scoring their second in the 57th minute after brilliantly weaving into the box and finding space. Belgium stepped up their attack in the second-half, but the French defend held firm to secure the clean sheet.
Here are the player ratings for the France national team, following their 2-0 win over Belgium:
France player ratings
Mike Maignan - 7/10
The 29-year-old goalkeeper looked a bit shaky at first, but he grew in confidence as the game progressed. He made four saves and kept a clean sheet.
Lucas Digne - 7/10
Digne was commendable in both defense and attack, playing six passes into the final third and creating one chance.
William Saliba - 7.5/10
The Arsenal defender hardly put a foot wrong throughout the game, helping ward off attacks that might have led to any Belgium success.
Dayot Upamecano - 7/10
Much like Saliba, Upamecano was firm as a rock in France's back-line.
Jules Kounde - 7.5/10
Kounde guarded his flank well, thwarting any attacks from Belgium. He also looked good in attack, linking well with Ousmane Dembele.
Matteo Guendouzi - 7/10
The Lazio midfielder showed attacking threat regularly and gave the Belgium defense reason to worry, especially in the first half. He came off in 79th minute for Antoine Griezmann.
N'Golo Kante - 8/10
Kante, who wore the armband, mopped up balls in defense and was busy in attack. He provided the assist for Ousmane Dembele's goal and came off to a standing ovation from the crowd for Youssouf Fofana in injury time.
Kouadio Kone - 8/10
Kone commanded the game from the center of the park and helped Les Bleus dominate the proceedings. His passing was quality, as he created four chances in attack, while hacking at the opponents while defending to win eight duels.
Marcus Thuram - 6/10
Thuram was fairly solid when getting into duels with opponents, but the Inter Milan forward did not impact the game in the final third. He eventually came off in the 67th minute for Bradley Barcola.
Randal Kolo Muani - 7.5/10
The Paris Saint-Germain striker was in the right place at the right time to latch onto a rebound after Ousmane Dembele's effort was saved. He was subbed off in the 67th minute and replaced by Kylian Mbappe.
Ousmane Dembele - 9/10
Dembele was France's main attacking threat against Belgium, constantly running at and getting past his marker and causing all sorts of trouble. It paid off when he scored France's second goal, before coming off in the 79th minute for Michael Olise.
Substitutes
Kylian Mbappe - 7/10
Mbappe showcased quality running, but missed four chances. His name would have been on the scoresheet if he was a little more clinical.
Bradley Barcola - 6/10
Barcola linked up well with Mbappe and had a couple of chances to score.
Antoine Griezmann - 6/10
Griezmann helped see off the game and made a small mark with a shot on target from distance.
Michael Olise - 6/10
The new Bayern Munich signing showed skillful running in the 10 minutes he played.
Youssouf Fofana - N/A
He played for only a minute.