Match story
- France fired more attempts (25 vs 9 shots).
- Belgium was more accurate in front of goal (44% on target vs 36%).
- Belgium held more of the ball (53% possession).
France defeated Belgium 2-0 in the UEFA Nations League. The fixture is part of the League A - 2 stage in the 2024 season. The match was played at Groupama Stadium in Décines-Charpieu. Tobias Stieler, Germany officiated the match. The full-time result capped a France vs Belgium meeting in UEFA Nations League with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for France and Belgium. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
UEFA Nations LeagueRecorded meetings: 3 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
France defeated Belgium 2-0 in the UEFA Nations League. The fixture is part of the League A - 2 stage in the 2024 season. The match was played at Groupama Stadium in Décines-Charpieu. Tobias Stieler, Germany officiated the match. The full-time result capped a France vs Belgium meeting in UEFA Nations League with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for France and Belgium. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
UEFA Nations LeagueRecorded meetings: 3 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Andoni Iraola moves to improve defensive optionsUruguay defender expected to complete his medical Liverpool have agreed to sign Ronald Araújo on a season-long loan from Barcelona after Andoni Iraola was faced with lack of defensive options for the start of the new season.Concerns over Jérémy Jacquet – the France Under -21 defender who arrived last season for more than £50m – and injuries to Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni have left Liverpool short of options at the back after the departure of Ibrahima Konaté on a free transfer to Real Madrid. Continue reading...
The American talisman was destined to stand at the epicenter of this emotionally charged preseason reunion, yet his absence has left fans wondering why he will miss the clash. A heavy shadow falls over Jakarta as Christian Pulisic is officially ruled out of a monumental clash against his former comrades at Chelsea. The American talisman was destined to stand at the epicenter of this emotionally charged preseason reunion, yet his absence has left fans wondering why he will miss the clash. Milan will face Chelsea on Saturday at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, with the fixture serving as one of the final tests before the new season. The Italian club arrives after a 1-1 draw with Inter, while the Blues are looking to respond after suffering a 1-0 defeat against Juventus. The match was always expected to carry extra significance because of the number of players with connections to the London club. Fikayo Tomori, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Christopher Nkunku could all feature for the Rossoneri against their former side, while Pulisic would have been another obvious storyline had he been available. The 27-year-old American forward spent four seasons at Chelsea before moving to San Siro in 2023, establishing himself as one of the Italian club’s most important attacking players. His absence therefore leaves Milan without a player who could have provided both quality on the wing and plenty of personal motivation against his former employer. The reason behind Pulisic’s absence The reason Pulisic will miss the friendly is an injury suffered during the United States’ 2026 World Cup campaign. The American winger was hurt during the United States’ Round of 16 meeting with Belgium after attempting a shot and colliding with Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans. According to reports from The Athletic, medical examinations subsequently revealed a bone bruise and microfracture around the tibia-fibula area of Pulisic’s right leg. The winger initially attempted to continue after the collision, but the discomfort eventually forced him out of the match. The injury ended his World Cup campaign and meant that his return to Milan preparations needed to be handled carefully rather than rushed. Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States reacts after challenged by Youri Tielemans #8 of Belgium Instead of joining the squad for the preseason tour of Australia, Indonesia and Poland, Pulisic remained at Milanello to continue his rehabilitation. La Gazzetta dello Sport suggests that the club’s priority has been to avoid increasing the player’s workload too quickly after his injury. The decision means he has missed the opportunity to face Inter and Chelsea during the overseas tour, but it could prove important in preventing the setback from becoming a longer-term problem. Pulisic returned to Milanello on July 30 after receiving additional time away following the World Cup and underwent medical checks before beginning individual training. Pulisic’s recovery timeline offers Milan encouragement Although the initial description of the injury understandably raised concerns, there has been some encouraging news surrounding Pulisic’s recovery. The expectation is that he will need weeks rather than months to recover, giving the club hope that he can return relatively early in the Serie A campaign. View this post on Instagram The Rossoneri have therefore avoided taking unnecessary risks during preseason. A friendly against Chelsea can offer valuable preparation, but Ruben Amorim has little reason to gamble with one of his most important players when the competitive season is approaching. Pulisic is currently targeting a return around the beginning of the new Serie A season, with Milan scheduled to face Torino on August 23. If his rehabilitation continues without complications, the American could have a realistic chance of being available for that fixture or returning shortly afterward.
Tottenham rejected a move for Cristian Romero to Arsenal, while the Argentine reportedly closes in on a move to Atletico Madrid. Arsenal have been rebuffed in their approach for Cristian Romero, with Tottenham making clear they won’t do business with their London rivals as the Argentine defender edges closer to a move to Atletico Madrid. The reigning Premier League champions turned to Romero after William Saliba suffered a serious back injury during France’s World Cup campaign, leaving Mikel Arteta’s side short at the back with the transfer window nearing its close. Arsenal had already seen an earlier approach for Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa rejected before shifting their attention to the Tottenham captain. Spurs, however, wasted no time shutting the door. Fabrizio Romano reported that Arsenal made inquiries this week but that Spurs prefer to sell abroad, while a separate report from The Athletic stated that Tottenham’s hierarchy have categorically ruled out selling Romero to Arsenal under any circumstances. That stance has left the door wide open for Atletico Madrid, who have emerged as the clear favorites for Romero’s signature. The Spanish club has already opened formal negotiations with Tottenham, seen an initial bid rejected, and is preparing a new offer, with Romano placing Atletico Madrid well ahead of Inter Milan in the race for the Argentine. Cristian Romero of Tottenham. (Getty Images) Inter, meanwhile, had reached a €40 million agreement with Tottenham but saw the move stall after failing to sell Benjamin Pavard to fund it and after Romero himself held off on agreeing personal terms — with reports suggesting the defender has a clause favoring a move to one of Spain’s traditional “big three” clubs. Romero hinted earlier at a LaLiga move Romero’s links to a Spanish move aren’t new. Speaking to Los Edul a few months ago, the defender admitted that a switch to LaLiga was something he’d long considered. “Growth is always on my mind, going to new places to keep growing. Playing in LaLiga is something I’m missing out on. I would love that, honestly,” he said at the time. Those comments now look particularly timely given how close he appears to Atletico Madrid. While Romero has been consistently linked with a move to Spain over the past year, his own words suggest the interest runs both ways.
A full breakdown of the 17 managerial changes following the 2026 World Cup, featured by high-profile appointments like Zinedine Zidane and Jürgen Klopp. It would be fair to say that international football management has become a cut-throat business if the 2026 World Cup is anything to go by. Belgium boss Rudi García’s exit following the expiry of his contract on July 31 took the number of managerial departures to 17 this summer. Read on as we look at which managers have left their roles this summer, before assessing some of the noteworthy appointments to replace them. International managerial exits: Summer 2026 Didier Deschamps (France) – Ended his 14-year spell in charge after the World Cup.Roberto Martínez (Portugal) – Resigned after Portugal’s round of 16 defeat to Spain.Julian Nagelsmann (Germany) – Quit after Germany were beaten by Paraguay in the round of 32.Rudi García (Belgium) – Exited following Belgium’s run to the quarter-finals.Zlatko Dalić (Croatia) – Ended his tenure following Croatia’s round of 32 exit against Portugal.Javier Aguirre (Mexico) – Resigned after Mexico lost against England in the round of 16.Ronald Koeman (Netherlands) – Left after the Netherlands exited in the round of 32.Sebastián Beccacece (Ecuador) – Resigned after Ecuador’s round of 32 elimination.Marcelo Bielsa (Uruguay) – Stepped down after Uruguay’s World Cup campaign.Steve Clarke (Scotland) – Resigned after Scotland failed to progress beyond the group stage.Hong Myung-bo (South Korea) – Left after South Korea’s early exit.Sabri Lamouchi (Tunisia) – Sacked after Tunisia’s opening 5–1 defeat at the tournament.Miroslav Koubek (Czechia) – Stepped down following Czechia’s group-stage elimination.Pape Thiaw (Senegal) – Had his contract terminated after Senegal’s exit.Carlos Queiroz (Ghana) – Resigned after Ghana were eliminated in the round of 32.Jamal Sellami (Jordan) – Left his position after Jordan’s early exit.Vladimir Petković (Algeria) – Exited following Algeria’s disappointing campaign. Zidane & Klopp headline new managerial appointments Zinedine Zidane and Jürgen Klopp are the standout names on the list of replacements announced by international federations to date. Zidane, a World Cup winner with France in 1998, has been out of management since leaving Real Madrid for a second time in 2021. The 54-year-old has now been tasked with building on the foundations laid by Deschamps. He will lead France through the 2030 World Cup qualifiers. “I’ve often said it – there’s nothing greater than the French national team,” Zidane said. “So, it’s a joy and obviously a great source of pride to become the manager of this French national team. “It’s also a responsibility. I want to thank [French Football Federation] president Philippe Diallo, the executive committee, and the French Football Federation for their confidence and acknowledge the 14 years of service from Didier and his staff. “I also have a special thought for all my coaches. Needless to say, I have high ambitions for the French national team.” The German Football Association’s decision to turn to Klopp was no real surprise given the lack of viable alternatives. The 59-year-old previously re-established Liverpool as a force in English football, before joining Red Bull GmbH as Head of Global Soccer in January 2025. He will now work to restore the fortunes of a team which has struggled to live up to its billing since last winning the World Cup in 2014. Portugal will embark on a new era after Martínez stepped aside. Jorge Jesus has replaced him after spending the last three years in the Saudi Pro League. Jesus must determine how best to handle veteran forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who has given no indication that he will retire from international football. Martínez made the mistake of pandering to Ronaldo at the World Cup, and his decision ultimately resulted in them making an early exit from the tournament. Jesus, who managed Ronaldo at Al-Nassr last season, has suggested that the 41-year-old wi
Maghnes Akliouche is due in Paris for his medical before completing a transfer from Monaco to Paris Saint-Germain, according to L’Équipe. Monaco has accepted a €50 million offer for the attacking midfielder, while Akliouche is expected to sign a five-year contract running until June 2031. He could officially become a PSG player once he completes […] The post Maghnes Akliouche set for PSG medical after €50m agreement appeared first on SoccerNews.
Tap a headline to view metadata and excerpt fields in Sportra, then use the article website button to continue on the original publisher page.
Andoni Iraola moves to improve defensive optionsUruguay defender expected to complete his medical Liverpool have agreed to sign Ronald Araújo on a season-long loan from Barcelona after Andoni Iraola was faced with lack of defensive options for the start of the new season.Concerns over Jérémy Jacquet – the France Under -21 defender who arrived last season for more than £50m – and injuries to Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni have left Liverpool short of options at the back after the departure of Ibrahima Konaté on a free transfer to Real Madrid. Continue reading...
The American talisman was destined to stand at the epicenter of this emotionally charged preseason reunion, yet his absence has left fans wondering why he will miss the clash. A heavy shadow falls over Jakarta as Christian Pulisic is officially ruled out of a monumental clash against his former comrades at Chelsea. The American talisman was destined to stand at the epicenter of this emotionally charged preseason reunion, yet his absence has left fans wondering why he will miss the clash. Milan will face Chelsea on Saturday at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, with the fixture serving as one of the final tests before the new season. The Italian club arrives after a 1-1 draw with Inter, while the Blues are looking to respond after suffering a 1-0 defeat against Juventus. The match was always expected to carry extra significance because of the number of players with connections to the London club. Fikayo Tomori, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Christopher Nkunku could all feature for the Rossoneri against their former side, while Pulisic would have been another obvious storyline had he been available. The 27-year-old American forward spent four seasons at Chelsea before moving to San Siro in 2023, establishing himself as one of the Italian club’s most important attacking players. His absence therefore leaves Milan without a player who could have provided both quality on the wing and plenty of personal motivation against his former employer. The reason behind Pulisic’s absence The reason Pulisic will miss the friendly is an injury suffered during the United States’ 2026 World Cup campaign. The American winger was hurt during the United States’ Round of 16 meeting with Belgium after attempting a shot and colliding with Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans. According to reports from The Athletic, medical examinations subsequently revealed a bone bruise and microfracture around the tibia-fibula area of Pulisic’s right leg. The winger initially attempted to continue after the collision, but the discomfort eventually forced him out of the match. The injury ended his World Cup campaign and meant that his return to Milan preparations needed to be handled carefully rather than rushed. Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States reacts after challenged by Youri Tielemans #8 of Belgium Instead of joining the squad for the preseason tour of Australia, Indonesia and Poland, Pulisic remained at Milanello to continue his rehabilitation. La Gazzetta dello Sport suggests that the club’s priority has been to avoid increasing the player’s workload too quickly after his injury. The decision means he has missed the opportunity to face Inter and Chelsea during the overseas tour, but it could prove important in preventing the setback from becoming a longer-term problem. Pulisic returned to Milanello on July 30 after receiving additional time away following the World Cup and underwent medical checks before beginning individual training. Pulisic’s recovery timeline offers Milan encouragement Although the initial description of the injury understandably raised concerns, there has been some encouraging news surrounding Pulisic’s recovery. The expectation is that he will need weeks rather than months to recover, giving the club hope that he can return relatively early in the Serie A campaign. View this post on Instagram The Rossoneri have therefore avoided taking unnecessary risks during preseason. A friendly against Chelsea can offer valuable preparation, but Ruben Amorim has little reason to gamble with one of his most important players when the competitive season is approaching. Pulisic is currently targeting a return around the beginning of the new Serie A season, with Milan scheduled to face Torino on August 23. If his rehabilitation continues without complications, the American could have a realistic chance of being available for that fixture or returning shortly afterward.
Tottenham rejected a move for Cristian Romero to Arsenal, while the Argentine reportedly closes in on a move to Atletico Madrid. Arsenal have been rebuffed in their approach for Cristian Romero, with Tottenham making clear they won’t do business with their London rivals as the Argentine defender edges closer to a move to Atletico Madrid. The reigning Premier League champions turned to Romero after William Saliba suffered a serious back injury during France’s World Cup campaign, leaving Mikel Arteta’s side short at the back with the transfer window nearing its close. Arsenal had already seen an earlier approach for Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa rejected before shifting their attention to the Tottenham captain. Spurs, however, wasted no time shutting the door. Fabrizio Romano reported that Arsenal made inquiries this week but that Spurs prefer to sell abroad, while a separate report from The Athletic stated that Tottenham’s hierarchy have categorically ruled out selling Romero to Arsenal under any circumstances. That stance has left the door wide open for Atletico Madrid, who have emerged as the clear favorites for Romero’s signature. The Spanish club has already opened formal negotiations with Tottenham, seen an initial bid rejected, and is preparing a new offer, with Romano placing Atletico Madrid well ahead of Inter Milan in the race for the Argentine. Cristian Romero of Tottenham. (Getty Images) Inter, meanwhile, had reached a €40 million agreement with Tottenham but saw the move stall after failing to sell Benjamin Pavard to fund it and after Romero himself held off on agreeing personal terms — with reports suggesting the defender has a clause favoring a move to one of Spain’s traditional “big three” clubs. Romero hinted earlier at a LaLiga move Romero’s links to a Spanish move aren’t new. Speaking to Los Edul a few months ago, the defender admitted that a switch to LaLiga was something he’d long considered. “Growth is always on my mind, going to new places to keep growing. Playing in LaLiga is something I’m missing out on. I would love that, honestly,” he said at the time. Those comments now look particularly timely given how close he appears to Atletico Madrid. While Romero has been consistently linked with a move to Spain over the past year, his own words suggest the interest runs both ways.
A full breakdown of the 17 managerial changes following the 2026 World Cup, featured by high-profile appointments like Zinedine Zidane and Jürgen Klopp. It would be fair to say that international football management has become a cut-throat business if the 2026 World Cup is anything to go by. Belgium boss Rudi García’s exit following the expiry of his contract on July 31 took the number of managerial departures to 17 this summer. Read on as we look at which managers have left their roles this summer, before assessing some of the noteworthy appointments to replace them. International managerial exits: Summer 2026 Didier Deschamps (France) – Ended his 14-year spell in charge after the World Cup.Roberto Martínez (Portugal) – Resigned after Portugal’s round of 16 defeat to Spain.Julian Nagelsmann (Germany) – Quit after Germany were beaten by Paraguay in the round of 32.Rudi García (Belgium) – Exited following Belgium’s run to the quarter-finals.Zlatko Dalić (Croatia) – Ended his tenure following Croatia’s round of 32 exit against Portugal.Javier Aguirre (Mexico) – Resigned after Mexico lost against England in the round of 16.Ronald Koeman (Netherlands) – Left after the Netherlands exited in the round of 32.Sebastián Beccacece (Ecuador) – Resigned after Ecuador’s round of 32 elimination.Marcelo Bielsa (Uruguay) – Stepped down after Uruguay’s World Cup campaign.Steve Clarke (Scotland) – Resigned after Scotland failed to progress beyond the group stage.Hong Myung-bo (South Korea) – Left after South Korea’s early exit.Sabri Lamouchi (Tunisia) – Sacked after Tunisia’s opening 5–1 defeat at the tournament.Miroslav Koubek (Czechia) – Stepped down following Czechia’s group-stage elimination.Pape Thiaw (Senegal) – Had his contract terminated after Senegal’s exit.Carlos Queiroz (Ghana) – Resigned after Ghana were eliminated in the round of 32.Jamal Sellami (Jordan) – Left his position after Jordan’s early exit.Vladimir Petković (Algeria) – Exited following Algeria’s disappointing campaign. Zidane & Klopp headline new managerial appointments Zinedine Zidane and Jürgen Klopp are the standout names on the list of replacements announced by international federations to date. Zidane, a World Cup winner with France in 1998, has been out of management since leaving Real Madrid for a second time in 2021. The 54-year-old has now been tasked with building on the foundations laid by Deschamps. He will lead France through the 2030 World Cup qualifiers. “I’ve often said it – there’s nothing greater than the French national team,” Zidane said. “So, it’s a joy and obviously a great source of pride to become the manager of this French national team. “It’s also a responsibility. I want to thank [French Football Federation] president Philippe Diallo, the executive committee, and the French Football Federation for their confidence and acknowledge the 14 years of service from Didier and his staff. “I also have a special thought for all my coaches. Needless to say, I have high ambitions for the French national team.” The German Football Association’s decision to turn to Klopp was no real surprise given the lack of viable alternatives. The 59-year-old previously re-established Liverpool as a force in English football, before joining Red Bull GmbH as Head of Global Soccer in January 2025. He will now work to restore the fortunes of a team which has struggled to live up to its billing since last winning the World Cup in 2014. Portugal will embark on a new era after Martínez stepped aside. Jorge Jesus has replaced him after spending the last three years in the Saudi Pro League. Jesus must determine how best to handle veteran forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who has given no indication that he will retire from international football. Martínez made the mistake of pandering to Ronaldo at the World Cup, and his decision ultimately resulted in them making an early exit from the tournament. Jesus, who managed Ronaldo at Al-Nassr last season, has suggested that the 41-year-old wi
Maghnes Akliouche is due in Paris for his medical before completing a transfer from Monaco to Paris Saint-Germain, according to L’Équipe. Monaco has accepted a €50 million offer for the attacking midfielder, while Akliouche is expected to sign a five-year contract running until June 2031. He could officially become a PSG player once he completes […] The post Maghnes Akliouche set for PSG medical after €50m agreement appeared first on SoccerNews.
Tap a headline to view metadata and excerpt fields in Sportra, then use the article website button to continue on the original publisher page.
