Randal Kolo Muani's brace was enough to see 10-man France claim an important 2-1 triumph over Belgium in their Nations League Group A2 clash. 

Kolo Muani netted either side of Lois Openda's first-half header before the visitor saw out the remaining 14 minutes after Tchouameni's dismissal for two bookable offences.

Belgium had the opportunity to take the lead when William Saliba's untimely slip wiped out Openda, only for Youri Tielemans to blaze his spot-kick over the crossbar.

Didier Deschamps's side made no such mistake from 12 yards soon after, with Kolo Muani converting after Wout Faes's handball to hand France the lead in the 4th minute.

Openda restored parity on the stroke of half-time, nodding Timothy Castagne's cross beyond Mike Maignan, only for Kolo Muani to edge France back into the lead when rising highest to power a header underneath the grasp of Koen Casteels just past the hour.

Belgium was handed a late lifeline in its attempts to snatch a point when France's stand-in captain Tchouameni received a second yellow card for a foul on Tielemans, yet the visitor held on for an important win.

Domenico Tedesco's side sits five points behind France and six adrift of leader Italy with two games remaining after this significant blow to its top-two hopes in Brussels.

Kolo Muani continued his impressive streak for France in the Nations League here, notching his third goal of the competition, all of which have come against Belgium.

The Paris Saint-Germain striker ended the contest as Les Bleus' biggest attacking threat, registering an expected goals (xG) tally of 0.86 of France's 1.42 total.

Tchouameni, however, endured a night to forget in Belgium as his red saw him become the first player since Jules Kounde in September 2021 to be sent off for France, and the first as Les Bleus' captain at kick-off since Zinedine Zidane in the 2006 World Cup final.