Belgium and France clash tonight in a high-profile Nations League showdown between neighbours in Brussels.
It is only the second game in charge of Les Bleus for Zinedine Zidane, who replaced the long-serving Didier Deschamps following a disappointing fourth-place finish at the World Cup in North America earlier this summer.
‘Zizou’ made a winning start in the job on Friday as France edged past Turkey 1-0 away from home thanks to an early second-half effort from influential captain Kylian Mbappe, with goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir sent off late on for the hosts for handling the ball outside of his penalty area.
Unfortunately for Zidane, Real Madrid superstar Mbappe suffered a knee injury while scoring that goal that is set to keep him sidelined for approximately two weeks, meaning he will play no further part for his country during this extended three-week international break.
France face a stern test this evening at the King Baudouin Stadium against a Belgium side who beat Italy 2-0 in Rome in their own Group A1 opener on Friday.
The Red Devils were also beginning a new era under former Netherlands midfielder Mark van Bommel, who was appointed in July to replace Rudi Garcia after Belgium’s quarter-final exit at the World Cup.
New Paris Saint-Germain signing Mika Godts - who celebrated his first goal for his country - and Benfica’s Dodi Lukebakio were both on target to pile the early pressure already on Azzurri head coach Roberto Mancini.
How to watch Belgium vs France
TV channel and live stream: Tonight’s huge Nations League meeting between Belgium and France is available to watch live via Amazon Prime Video’s pay-per-view service.
A match pass costs £2.49, with coverage beginning at 7:35pm BST ahead of kick-off in Brussels at 7:45pm.
The two sides meet again at the Stade de France in Paris next Monday night.
