Belgium vs France Nations League Result Lineups and Standings

Belgium, under new head coach Mark van Bommel, had beaten Italy 2-0 in their opener, while France, in Zinédine Zidane's second match in charge, had edged past Türkiye 1-0.

This guide walks through how the match unfolded, who started for each team, and how the result changed the shape of Group A1. It also looks at the substitutions that shaped the second half, the moment that decided the game, and what the group table looks like heading into the next round of fixtures. This is a general information guide for football followers who want a clear, easy-to-read summary of the match and the wider standings picture, not a betting or ticketing resource.

Belgium vs France Nations League Result Lineups and Standings

Belgium and France met at the Stade Roi Baudouin in Brussels on 28 September 2026, in the second round of fixtures in League A, Group A1 of the UEFA Nations League. Both nations came into the match unbeaten, having won their opening games, which made this an early test for top spot in a group that also includes Italy and Türkiye. France eventually came away with a narrow 1-0 win, decided by a substitute in the closing minutes, in a game that was tight and cagey for most of its ninety minutes.

How Belgium vs France Unfolded

The first half offered few clear openings, with both defenses well organized and neither goalkeeper seriously tested. Belgium looked to build through Kevin De Bruyne and Charles De Ketelaere, while France probed patiently without their injured captain in attack. The game picked up after the break, as both managers turned to their bench to change the rhythm of the match.

• Belgium picked up two early yellow cards, for Diego Moreira in the first half and later for De Bruyne and Youri Tielemans, as the game grew more physical.
• Substitutions arrived thick and fast after the hour mark, with Dodi Lukebakio and Hans Vanaken coming on for Belgium, and Ousmane Dembélé entering for France.
• The decisive moment came in the 88th minute, when substitute Michael Olise, who had only been on the pitch for eleven minutes, found the net to give France the lead.
• Belgium pushed for a response in stoppage time but could not find an equalizer, and the match finished 0-1.

Lineups and Group A1 Standings Explained

Belgium set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation under Mark van Bommel, while France lined up in a 4-3-3 under Zinédine Zidane, who made changes to freshen his side after their opening win. Neither the venue nor the tactical setup produced many clear chances, which made the late goal decisive for both the scoreline and the group table.

• Belgium (4-2-3-1): Lammens in goal; Castagne, Mechele, Ngoy, and Seys in defense; Tielemans and Lavia in midfield; Godts, De Bruyne, and De Ketelaere in support of a lone forward line.
• France (4-3-3): Maignan in goal; Kalulu, Lacroix, Jacquet, and Diouf in defense; Camavinga, Da Cunha, and Doué in midfield; Lepaul, Barcola, and Akliouche leading the attack.
• Group A1 standings after Matchday 2: France moved to six points from two wins, taking sole possession of top spot. Belgium sit second on three points after one win and one loss, just ahead of Italy and Türkiye, who are still finding their footing in the group.
• With four group matches still to play before the November international break, all four teams remain in contention for the two spots that lead to the quarter-finals.

Nations League Standings and What Comes Next

The result gave France another important three points in League A, Group A1. UEFA's fixture list shows that Belgium's next Nations League match is against Türkiye, while France are scheduled to face Italy. The teams are also due to meet again in Paris on October 5.

For readers following the Belgium vs France rivalry, the upcoming rematch should provide another opportunity to compare team form, lineups, player performances and group standings. As the Nations League league phase continues through November, every result can have an impact on the final position in the group.

Conclusion

This result gave France an early advantage in Group A1 and handed Zinédine Zidane back-to-back wins to open his time in charge, while Belgium's loss keeps the group tightly packed heading into the next set of fixtures. With Italy and Türkiye still very much involved, the coming rounds should decide who joins France in pushing for a quarter-final place. Fans following the group can expect a competitive few weeks as all four sides look to secure their position in League A.

A note on the data: I pulled these details (lineups, the matchwinner, scorers, and standings) from match reports and box scores published right after the game. If you're publishing this, it's worth a quick cross-check against UEFA's official site or another live source before it goes live, since some fan sites carry conflicting or placeholder numbers for very recent fixtures.