Belgium and France clash at Stade Roi Baudouin, goalkeepers shine

At the Stade Roi Baudouin in Bruxelles, Belgique and France entered the half‑time break level at 0‑0 after a lively opening period in the Ligue des Nations. Both sides saw their custodians, Senne Lammens and Mike Maignan, make decisive interventions to keep the score deadlocked.

France’s reshuffled line‑up and early dominance

France entered the match without captain Kylian Mbappé, sidelined by injury, and were guided by Zinédine Zidane. The side fielded a profoundly remade starting eleven, reflecting the absence of their talisman. Zidane’s tactical tweaks aimed to compensate for the missing firepower.

The youthful French unit held 56 percent of possession, leaving Belgique’s Diables Rouges with 44 percent. They also registered eight attempts on goal, the most of either side in the opening half.

The most striking chance fell to the Parisien Désiré Doué, whose thunderous strike smashed the cross‑bar of Senne Lammens in the 14th minute.

Lammens was called upon repeatedly, making four decisive saves to preserve a clean sheet for the Diables Rouges.

Belgique answered late through captain Kevin De Bruyne, whose effort brushed past Mike Maignan at the edge of the area, underscoring the French keeper’s involvement.