William Saliba endured a difficult night for France against Belgium(Image: Getty Images)

Arsenal get William Saliba worst-case scenario as Liverpool concerns emerge from France struggle

William Saliba is set to return to Arsenal after enduring a difficult evening while playing for France against Belgium

15 Oct 2024, 07:32 by Kieran King · football.london

William Saliba endured a night to forget for France during their Nations League tie against Belgium. Didier Deschamps' side battled hard to win 2-1 thanks to a brace from Randal Kolo Muani, but it wasn't Saliba's finest performance after he gave away a first-half penalty and lost his marker for Belgium's goal.

Belgium had started the game on the front foot and were awarded a spot-kick in the 23rd minute. France's high line was exposed and Lois Openda managed to beat the offside trap. The RB Leipzig forward darted into the box and cut inside on to his favoured right foot, only for Saliba to wipe him out without getting any of the ball. Fortunately for Saliba, however, Youri Tielemans blasted the resulting penalty over the bar.

France punished Belgium for missing that opportunity and were gifted a spot-kick of their own when Leicester's Wout Faes handled the ball inside the area. Kolo Muani stepped up and sent Koen Casteels the wrong way, putting Deschamps' men into the lead.

But that 1-0 advantage didn't last long. On the stroke of half-time, Belgium equalised as Timothy Castagne's looping cross was headed back across goal and into the far corner by Openda. Saliba, who was marking Openda, allowed the Belgian to drift off his shoulder and gave him a simple free, unchallenged header to score from.

From this point, it seemed as though Belgium were going to go on and win the match, but it was France who came out on top and retook the lead in the 62th minute. Lucas Digne's cross was expertly met by the head of Kolo Muani, who directed the ball beyond Casteels. France had to play the final 14 minutes plus stoppage-time with 10 men after Aurelien Tchouameni was sent off, but they managed to hold on for three vital points.

Speaking after the game, Deschamps highlighted the fact France made a lot of errors, with two of them coming from Arsenal's Saliba. "We were shaken for the first 20 to 25 minutes where they (Belgium) put in a lot of intensity, while we made a lot of technical errors," Deschamps said.

"When we were able to find solutions going forward, it was better for us. We had to shake them (the players) up. In relation to what we said, and what the players had said, it’s mostly the mistakes, we had to calm down.

"We had to go forward and press well. Of course, they had chances, but so did we in the second half. We’re happy to win this match, especially with 10 men."

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