The PSG star has been widely criticised in his country but put in an electrifying display against Belgium in the Nations League as France won 2-0.
France overpowered Belgium in a heavyweight Nations League clash with a rotated starting XI that saw Kylian Mbappe benched. Without the Real Madrid attacker, Ousmane Dembele took the role of superstar, despite being criticised widely during Euro 2024 after some remarkably ineffective displays. Here, though, he was at his sparkling best.
Randal Kolo Muani opened the scoring after 29 minutes, as he capitalised on some loose goalkeeping to smash home a rebound via a block from Wout Faes.
Just after the 55 minute mark, Dembele added a second to ram home Les Bleus' advantage. Having played a one-two on the edge of the box, Dembele took the ball back, shimmied beyond two defenders, and fired an effort into the roof of the net.
Mbappe came on and peppered the Belgium goal with efforts but he was unable to hit the back of the net; the headlines, this time, belonged to his old Paris Saint-Germain team-mate.
GOAL rates France's players from Parc Olympique Lyonnais…
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Mike Maignan (6/10):
Was rarely properly tested but stood up well to early Belgian pressure and commanded his box.
Jules Kounde (6/10):
Up against Lois Openda and was booked within the first 10 minutes. Grew into it as France began to dominate, getting forward when he could and defending stoutly.
William Saliba (6/10):
Uncharacteristically loose in possession in the first half. Reads the game so well that he made up for it with his defensive awareness.
Dayot Upamecano (7/10):
Won every tackle he attempted. A dominant presence in the backline; alongside Saliba, Les Bleus rarely let Belgium in behind.
Lucas Digne (6/10):
Booked early on for a fracas at a corner. Almost scored a brilliant free-kick and locked down the left wing.
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N'Golo Kante (7/10):
He's N'Golo Kante. Covered plenty of ground and passed the ball economically. Played the one-two with Dembele before his goal.
Manu Kone (7/10):
Booked. An orchestrator in midfield, as he showed he is capable of splitting defences apart. Leaves something to be desired defensively but so strong in possession.
Matteo Guendouzi (6/10):
Snatched at an early chance, sending a half-volley straight at Koen Casteels. An energetic presence in midfield. Subbed for Griezmann.
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Ousmane Dembele (8/10):
Brilliant down the right. Forced Casteels into a good save before Kolo Muani volleyed in the rebound. Scored a beauty, cutting in from the right wing and powering an effort into the roof of the net. Subbed.
Randal Kolo Muani (7/10):
Brought down in the box by De Bruyne but no penalty was awarded. Leathered a volley home. Subbed for Mbappe.
Marcus Thuram (5/10):
Played well but was perhaps a little erratic in the final third; he can be prone to shoot too early. Passed the ball well, however. Subbed.
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Kylian Mbappe (6/10):
On just after the hour. Will be disappointed not to have scored, having had multiple attempts after his introduction.
Antoine Griezmann (6/10):
A second half sub. Had one long-range sighter.
Michael Olise (N/A):
On for Dembele.
Bradley Barcola (N/A):
Replaced Thuram.
Youssouf Fofana (N/A)
An injury-time introduction.
Didier Deschamps (7/10):
Was able to rest some of his big guns – Mbappe the main name – and saw his France side absolutely cruise. It remains absolutely incredible the amount of talent he has at his disposal, and he is getting a tune out of them.