Doku's Belgium edged out by France

City winger Jeremy Doku played the full 90 minutes but couldn’t prevent Belgium slipping to a 2-1 defeat at home to 10-man France in their latest UEFA Nations League clash.

On an eventful night in Brussels, the hosts missed a first half penalty whilst France saw Aurelian Tchouameni sent off for two bookable offences.

However a brace from Randal Kolo Muani, who netted in either half including one from the penalty spot, proved decisive for France in spite of Lois Openda’s goal for the hosts as the visitors followed up a 2-0 win over Belgium in Paris last month.

Belgium made the early running at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels as Lois Openda just failed to connect with a dangerous 15th minute Doku cross before RB Leipzig striker sent a subsequent shot flashing just wide.

And the hosts’ pressure looked like being rewarded on 22 minutes when the Red Devils were awarded a penalty after VAR check ruled that William Saliba had fouled Openda in the box.

However Youri Tielemans miscued his spot kick, the Villa midfielder’s effort flying over the bar.

It wasn’t all one way traffic in what was a high quality encounter with Belgian keeper Koen Casteels earning his spurs to deny Bradley Barcola just shy of the half hour.

Doku then saw a low fizzing effort flash just the wrong side of the near post after another sweeping Belgium attack.

However it was France who broke the deadlock on 35 minutes - ironically from another penalty awarded after a lengthy VAR check.

Wout Faes was adjudged to have brought Ousmane Dembele down and Kolo Muani made no mistake from 12 yards to fire Didier Deschamps’ side in front.

Belgian served up the ideal riposte though by levelling in clinical fashion deep into first half stoppage time.

Openda rose unchecked to power Timothy Castagne’s inviting cross past Mike Maignan to level affairs.

Both sides continued to create openings after the break and it was France who restored their advantage just past the hour thanks to another strike from danger man Kolo Muani.

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The Paris Saint-German forward met Lucas Digne’s 63rd minute pinpoint cross and guided a glancing header home in clinical fashion.

On what was an incident packed evening France were then reduced to 10 men when Tchouameni was sent off for a second bookable offence.

But though Belgium desperately pressed for a late leveller, France held firm to claim all three points.

The result leaves the Red Devils in third spot in the table on four points from four games. Italy lead the way with 10 points with France second on nine.

Belgium round off their League A Group 2 schedule next month with a home clash against Italy and a trip to Israel.