France face Belgium aiming to extend group lead
France host Belgium at the Stade de France on Monday evening in a Nations League clash that could define Group A1. Kick-off is at 2:45 p.m. Eastern time.
France lead the group by one point after last week's dramatic 1-0 win over the Belgians in Brussels, settled by Michael Olise's 88th-minute goal. They then drew 1-1 with Italy on Saturday, with Alessandro Bastoni's second-half equalizer cancelling out France's opener.
Belgium bounced back from the Brussels defeat with a 3-0 win over Turkey, inspired by two Kevin De Bruyne goals and a Romelu Lukaku header. But they are without De Bruyne and Youri Tielemans for this game, both suspended after red cards.
France are missing Kylian Mbappe through injury, and Dayot Upamecano is suspended. With De Bruyne and Tielemans absent for Belgium, the hosts will fancy their chances in Paris.
France have won the last six meetings between the teams, with Belgium's last victory coming in 2015. With Italy looming as a threat, anything but a win would leave France's knockout hopes in real danger.
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