Nations League: Kolo Muani scores twice as France wins in Belgium
Italy is now just one step away from the Nations League quarterfinals thanks to France’s 2-1 victory in Belgium. This result pushes Belgium to third place, 6 points behind Italy with only two matchdays remaining. The match in Brussels was full of drama. Belgium, featuring De Ketelaere in the starting lineup, missed a golden chance in the 23rd minute when referee Peljto awarded a penalty for Saliba’s foul on Openda. However, Tielemans squandered the opportunity by sending his shot over the bar.
France, fielding Koné and Guendouzi alongside Maignan, capitalized in the 35th minute when Kolo Muani converted a penalty after Theate’s handball stopped Barcola from advancing. Belgium equalized in stoppage time with a brilliant header from Openda after a cross from Castagne.
Kolo Muani seals it; Koné’s goal disallowed
In the second half, France pressed forward and saw a Koné goal disallowed due to Kolo Muani’s earlier handball. However, in the 62nd minute, Kolo Muani struck again with a well-placed header from a Digne cross. Despite being reduced to 10 men after Tchouameni’s second yellow card in the 76th minute, France held on for a crucial win.
Germany closes in on quarterfinals after 1-0 win over the Netherlands
In Group 3, Germany (10 points) moved closer to the quarterfinals with a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands. Debutant Leweling scored the decisive goal in the 63rd minute with a right-footed strike following a defensive rebound. Hungary, now in second place with 5 points, benefited from a 2-0 win over Bosnia in Zenica, with Szoboszlai scoring twice (38′ and 50′ penalty), the first assisted by Nagy.
Asslani, Dovbyk, and Calhanoglu shine in League B
In League B action, Albania secured a 1-0 win over Georgia in Group 1 thanks to a brilliant strike from Inter’s Asslani in the 48th minute. Meanwhile, Ukraine drew 1-1 with the Czech Republic, with Roma’s Dovbyk converting a penalty in the 53rd minute to equalize Cerv’s 18th-minute goal. In Group 4, Calhanoglu’s penalty helped Montella’s Türkiye secure an important 4-2 victory over Iceland.