Kolo Muani headed in a second just past the hour-mark and France were able to hold on for the victory despite losing midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni to a second yellow card with 14 minutes remaining.
Italy head the group with 10 points from their four games, followed by France on nine. Belgium have four points and Israel zero. The top two teams qualify for the quarter-finals that will be played in March next year.
France then earned a penalty of their own as Faes used his arm to knock the ball as he fell to the ground in the box and this time Kolo Muani converted easily.
Openda turned Belgium’s late first half pressure into a goal as he headed Timothy Castagne’s cross into the net, a well-constructed move having timed his run to perfection.
Ousmane Dembele flashed a shot from the edge of the box wide and Manu Kone had the ball in the back of the net but the goal was disallowed for a Kolo Muani handball in the build-up.
France did regain the lead in the 62nd minute when Kolo Muani headed in Lucas Digne’s cross from the left, though Belgium goalkeeper Koen Casteels will feel he should have made the save.
"We played a good match and still lost. That is the quality of France. They can score out of nothing," Faes said.
"It's really bitter to lose like this. We missed a penalty in the first half and then concede one. That's mentally very tough."
Comments
Leave a Comment