League of Nations: the France team sends Belgium back to hell
French striker Kylian Mbappé scoring a goal against Belgium on October 7, 2021 in Turin.
AP - Fabio Ferrari
Text by: Nicolas Bamba Follow
3 min
In the semifinals of the League of Nations, the Belgian Red Devils believed they had overcome the curse against the Blues.
In Turin, they led 2-0 before being joined and finally losing in the dying seconds, Thursday, October 7 (3-2).
The French world champions will play in the final of the League of Nations against Spain.
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A little over three years ago, in Russia, the France team eliminated Belgium in the semi-finals of the World Cup.
Hugo Lloris had erected a wall in his cage, Samuel Umtiti had scored and "broke the gait", and the Belgians, beaten at the gates of the final, had had the "seum".
Of course, a League of Nations semi-final does not have the same value as a World Cup semi-final.
But for the Red Devils, the soup remains just as bitter after this new defeat conceded against the neighbor and rival, Thursday at Juventus Stadium in Turin.
At the end of an unbridled meeting, the men of Didier Deschamps inflicted engulfed the Belgians (3-2).
Monstrous Lukaku
The first act was red.
From the 4th minute, the danger approached when Jules Koundé badly repelled a cross from Romelu Lukaku.
Kevin De Bruyne took the opportunity and tried his luck, but Hugo Lloris, at the cost of a superb relaxation, repelled the danger.
The captain of the Blues, on the other hand, remained motionless on the opener signed Yannick Carrasco.
The attacking midfielder fixed Benjamin Pavard and placed a shot flush with the post (37th).
Barely recovered from this hard blow, France faltered again, this time in front of the Lukaku bulldozer.
The left-handed Chelsea striker made short work of Lucas Hernandez with a perfect body feint and beat Lloris with a missile fired with his right foot in a tight angle (40 ').
At the break, the advantage to the Belgians was well deserved as the Blues were dominated.
Mbappé the detonator
Undoubtedly shaken by the coach in the locker room, the reigning world champions returned to the Turin lawn with better intentions. Kylian Mbappé, on the evening of his 50th selection (at 22 years and 291 days, new precocity record), changed the face of this shock. Very leggy, multiplying the dribbles, the Parisian made a difference for the first time by finding Karim Benzema in the area. Despite the presence of three defenders on his back, the Real Madrid striker protected his ball before pivoting and closing the gap (62nd).
Now dominated, Belgium folded and gave in again when Youri Tielemans stepped on Antoine Griezmann's foot in the box.
After viewing the video, referee Daniel Siebert awarded a penalty.
With composure, knowing that he had missed the decisive shot on goal against Switzerland during Euro 2021, Kylian Mbappé transformed him (69th).
Belgians, from heaven to hell in a flash
The resuscitated French team then clearly gained the upper hand over an unrecognizable Belgium. Colossal in the first act, so fragile after the break, she did not quite know on which foot to dance. But with a gem like Lukaku, she thought she had the last word. While they were dominated, the Red Devils regained the advantage thanks to their striker, sharper than any blue defense. A short-lived joy, as the attacker was in an offside position.
The disaster scenario finally took place for the Belgians.
The edge of the crossbar repelled a free kick from Paul Pogba.
And a few seconds later, after a counter-attack, Théo Hernandez adjusted Thibaut Courtois with his left foot (90th).
The lucky star of the Blues has faded, but it still shines.
It is they who will play the final of the League of Nations, Sunday, October 10 in Milan, at the San Siro stadium.
For Belgium, we will have to be content with the match for third place against Italy.
An old, nasty habit.
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