Mbappé detonator of the Blues, Belgium ran out of steam
The influence of Kylian Mbappé, the revolt of the Blues, but also the second completely failed period of the Belgians: Find the Tops and Flops of the editorial staff at the end of Belgium-France (2-3).
Tops
Mbappé got everyone to agree
We feared he was disturbed, after a difficult period in selection and club, but Kylian Mbappé has shown a true mental champion. In legs, the PSG striker seemed from the first minutes ready to bite into the duels. Author of a good acceleration of entry (6e), he was one of the only French to try his luck in the first period (23e, 45e). In the second half, it was above all he who started the awakening of the Blues by jostling the Belgian defense. To the left, to the right, in the axis, he was everywhere to ask for the ball. Decisive passer for Benzema, he then transformed his penalty with coolness, forgetting for a while his failure at the last Euro. Dangerous until the end, he will have signed a reference match in Blue.
LiveBelgium-France: the film of the meeting
The Blues have found their soul
At half-time, few observers would have bet on this final result. Because in the first period, the French seemed in line with their Euro 2020 with a feverish defense and an uninspired attack. But the break was good and we found these Blues so conquering afterwards. Pressing the top of the well-embarrassed Belgians, Deschamps’ men have finally found the values that have the sacred world champions. With an occupation of the land and sharper actions. This stunning victory will be a milestone.
Théo Hernandez, the corn of a lifetime
The French left-back will remember this October 7, 2021 for a long time. The day of his first goal in Blue but, above all, of the one that allowed his team to overthrow Belgium in the 90’se minute. Controlling a ball that was hanging around the edge of the area, the AC Milan player adjusted Courtois with a clear shot. The reward for the monumental efforts made on its left side.
An attacking trio in great progress
In the first half, the Griezmann-Benzema-Mbappé trio had a hard time finding themselves, between misunderstandings and loss of balls galore. But it’s as if the three men had decided to give their score after the break. While Griezmann may have fallen short in his individual performance, he remains the one who caused the 2-2 penalty. The other two gems of this trio have been incredible technical precision. Actors of the 2-1 goal signed Benzema, they caused great pain in a Belgian defense at the end of its rope. Perhaps the birth of a trio that can go a long way.
Read alsoStunning and cheeky, the Blues are (again) shattering the Belgian dream
Lukaku will have been a poison
He’s arguably one of the best strikers in Europe right now and he showed it this Thursday night. Powerful, robust, Romelu Lukaku has long caused the Blues to suffer. With his back to the goal, he has been a constant poison. At the origin of the first Belgian action (overflow on the right side), the Chelsea striker scored the goal of the break thanks to his style: mystifying Lucas Hernandez, he then shot Lloris with a shot from the right in a narrow angle . We thought he was going to be the executioner of the Blues by scoring in the last moments but, offside, his goal was refused. Before the final that we know.
flops
Belgium has lost track
In this meeting, Belgium had chosen to proceed in reverse of what it had produced during the last World Cup. In possession of the Blues, she let go against and almost succeeded in her bet by scoring two goals before the break. But in the second half, the Red Devils had nothing more spicy and diminished in front of the intensity set by the Blues. Without juice, without inspiration, they logically bowed.
The French defense has been shaken up again
This snatched success will not make us forget the French difficulties in being solid in the first period. If Hugo Lloris signed remarkable saves, his responsibility remains engaged on both goals, even if Lukaku shot him on the second. Lucas Hernandez was less imperial than usual in the axis, while Pavard blew hot and cold to the right. Wanderings that could be further sanctioned against Spain in the final on Sunday (8:45 p.m.).