GENEVA (AP) — Even after leaving star forward Kylian Mbappé on the bench, France handed Belgium yet another loss in the Nations League on Monday.
Two of Mbappé’s former teammates at Paris Saint-Germain, Randal Kolo Muani and Ousmane Dembélé, struck with powerful shots either side of halftime in a 2-0 win in Lyon.
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Israel's Liel Abada, centre, challenges for the ball with Italy's Federico Gatti, right, and Italy's Alessandro Buongiorno during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Israel and Italy, at Bozsik Arena, in Budapest, Hungary, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos)
France's Kylian Mbappe, left, and Belgium's Wout Faes fight for the ball during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between France and Belgium at the Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
Wales' Harry Wilson, right, duels for the ball with Montenegro's Slobodan Rubezic during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Montenegro and Wales at the City Stadium, in Niksic, Montenegro, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)
Italy's fans cheer their team during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Israel and Italy, at Bozsik Arena, in Budapest, Hungary, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos)
Israel's Liel Abada, centre, challenges for the ball with Italy's Federico Gatti, right, and Italy's Alessandro Buongiorno during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Israel and Italy, at Bozsik Arena, in Budapest, Hungary, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos)
Belgium's Lois Openda controls the ball during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between France and Belgium at the Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
France's Matteo Guendouzi, left, tries to stop Belgium's Jeremy Doku during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between France and Belgium at the Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
French players celebrate the opening goal of their team during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between France and Belgium at the Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
France's Matteo Guendouzi, left, runs to stop Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between France and Belgium at the Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
France's Ousmane Dembele, right, prepares to take a shot scoring his side's second goal as Belgium's Arthur Theate tries to stop him during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between France and Belgium at the Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
France's Kylian Mbappe, left, controls the ball as Belgium's Zeno Debast tries to stop him during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between France and Belgium at the Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
France's Ousmane Dembele, right, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's second goal during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between France and Belgium at the Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
The latest win helped France make up ground in the top-tier Nations League group after losing to Italy 3-1 in Paris on Friday. Italy beat Israel 2-1 on Monday with goals from Davide Frattesi and Moise Kean and leads the four-team group.
Also, Erling Haaland scored a decisive 80th-minute goal in Norway’s 2-1 win over Austria and Slovenia star Benjamin Šeško scored a hat trick in a 3-0 win over Kazakhstan. Haaland and Šeško once were clubmates in Austria at Salzburg.
Mbappé was rested from the start despite France seeking to avoid a third straight loss, two months after a European Championship semifinals exit against eventual title winner Spain.
Real Madrid’s new star had little preseason preparation after Euro 2024 and played a full game against Italy. He was eased in against Belgium by coach Didier Deschamps, who sent on his captain in the 67th minute to replace Kolo Muani.
France extended its winning run over Belgium to four games in the Mbappé era. Starting in the 2018 World Cup semifinals, Les Bleus also eliminated Belgium in the 2021 Nations League semifinals and in the Euro 2024 round of 16.
Monday’s game was 43 years to the day since France lost a competition game against Belgium, in 1981 in Brussels in a World Cup qualifier.
Belgium started with fierce intent and France survived a wave of early attacks in an increasingly testy atmosphere. Belgium forward Loïs Openda was at the heart of most of the action and confrontations.
“Belgium created plenty of problems for us, especially in the first 25 minutes,” Deschamps acknowledged.
France led in the 30th when Kolo Muani lashed in a shot from close range after goalkeeper Koen Casteels pushed out a weak bouncing effort from Dembélé.
Dembélé was more purposeful in the 57th, cutting in from the right side of the penalty area to score with a rising left-foot shot. A smiling Mbappé was among the substitutes who went on to celebrate with Dembélé and lifted him to his feet.
Haaland had to wait and wait — after a 2 ½-minute video review check — for his 32nd career goal for Norway in just his 35th international.
At 1-1 in the 80th minute against Austria, the ball returned to Haaland near the penalty spot and the striker held off two defenders before poking in a low shot. The VAR check for a possible offside went on and on before the goal was confirmed.
Norway and Slovenia each has four points at the top of their second-tier group ahead of meeting in Oslo on Oct. 10.
Norway captain Martin Odegaard limped off with an ankle injury in the second half, causing concern for his club Arsenal, which faces three tough away games in an eight-day spell at Tottenham, Atalanta in the Champions League, and then English Premier League titleholder Manchester City.
Turkey leads its second-tier group from Wales on goal difference with both on four points after wins.
Kerem Aktürkoğlu scored a hat trick for Turkey, starting in the second minute, in a 3-1 result over Iceland just days after his move from Galatasaray to Benfica restored his chance to play in the Champions League this season.
Wales scored twice in the first three minutes in Montenegro and hung on for a rain-soaked 2-1 win. The second goal was a dipping shot from 25 meters by Harry Wilson.
On a night for early goals, Romania took a fourth-minute lead in a 3-1 win against Lithuania in third-tier Group 2. In the same group, it took Kosovo until the ninth minute to open the scoring in Cyprus, and Vedat Muriqi also added a second soon after in a 4-0 win.
Cyprus faces a possible disciplinary case from UEFA after images circulated of fans displaying a pro-Serbia political banner. Cyprus does not recognize Kosovo’s declaration of independence in 2008 from Serbia.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
France's Kylian Mbappe, left, and Belgium's Wout Faes fight for the ball during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between France and Belgium at the Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
Wales' Harry Wilson, right, duels for the ball with Montenegro's Slobodan Rubezic during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Montenegro and Wales at the City Stadium, in Niksic, Montenegro, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)
Italy's fans cheer their team during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Israel and Italy, at Bozsik Arena, in Budapest, Hungary, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos)
Israel's Liel Abada, centre, challenges for the ball with Italy's Federico Gatti, right, and Italy's Alessandro Buongiorno during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Israel and Italy, at Bozsik Arena, in Budapest, Hungary, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos)
Belgium's Lois Openda controls the ball during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between France and Belgium at the Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
France's Matteo Guendouzi, left, tries to stop Belgium's Jeremy Doku during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between France and Belgium at the Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
French players celebrate the opening goal of their team during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between France and Belgium at the Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
France's Matteo Guendouzi, left, runs to stop Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between France and Belgium at the Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
France's Ousmane Dembele, right, prepares to take a shot scoring his side's second goal as Belgium's Arthur Theate tries to stop him during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between France and Belgium at the Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
France's Kylian Mbappe, left, controls the ball as Belgium's Zeno Debast tries to stop him during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between France and Belgium at the Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
France's Ousmane Dembele, right, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's second goal during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between France and Belgium at the Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand’s landmark marriage equality bill was officially written into law on Sept. 24, after it was endorsed by King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
LGBTQ+ couples will be able to register marriages this week when it takes effect on Thursday, making Thailand the third place to do so in Asia, after Taiwan and Nepal.
Thailand has a reputation for acceptance and inclusivity, but has struggled for decades to pass a marriage equality law. Thai society has broadly conservative values, and members of the LGBTQ+ community say they face discrimination in everyday life.
The government led by the Pheu Thai party has made marriage equality one of its main goals. It had a major presence at the annual Bangkok Pride parade in June, in which thousands of people celebrated in one of Bangkok’s busiest commercial districts.
A grand celebration is planned in central Bangkok to facilitate hundreds of same-sex couples who plan to register their marriages on the very first day.
The Associated Press spoke with seven same-sex couples, days before the law comes into effect:
“This law doesn’t only equate life. It is life! At long last, Thailand’s society accepts the legality of all marriages in our land, regardless of sexual orientations. With that one sentence, lost or wasted lives have been rescued. Spirits restored. The whole country is better off.” — Jakrapob Penkair
“The marriage equality law will bring about a multitude of positive outcomes, especially by providing greater security and legal assurances for our relationships, including better access to health care and other protections. I’m truly happy this day has finally become a reality,” — Prorawin Battemdee
“The enforcement of the marriage equality law is proof that regardless of our gender, we all share the same basic human rights in every aspect under Thai law. It also paves the way for other countries in Asia, highlighting the importance of recognizing each other’s human values and enabling everyone to live.” — Kullayahnut Akkharasretthabudh
“This law will grant both of us the right to take care of each other, legally sign consent for the other’s medical treatment, and provide each other with lifelong security. When one of us dies, the law will ensure that our bond is recognized and protected.” — Chantamas Hemapanpairo
"We’re quite fortunate. We have a supportive social circle, friends, and family who accept us for who we are and accept the person we love. Marriage, it seems, isn’t everything that fulfils us emotionally. “However, ultimately, we believe that as two human beings, we should be granted the same basic legal rights as heterosexual couples. We are a complete family in spirit, but legal recognition would alleviate our future anxieties. In the end, we aren’t asking for anything special — we just want a simple, happy family life.” — Patherine Khunnares
"Before the marriage equality law takes effect, I personally felt that I could only use the word ‘partner.’ But from now on, it’s a ‘family.’ — Jutarat Chuenpae
“The marriage equality law allows everyone’s lives to complete each other without any further discrimination.” — Panuwat Srisawat
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FILE - Participants hold a rainbow flag during the Pride Parade in Bangkok, Thailand, June 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit, File)
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Nutanong sopon, 43, left, and Jutarat chuenpae, 37, both business owners, hold hands and jump for a photograph in Bangkok, Thailand, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025, (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
Patherine Khunnares, 37, web designer, left, and Vivian Chullamon, 36, researcher, stand for a photograph in Bangkok, Thailand, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
Chantamas Hemapanpairo, 52, business owner, and Sirada Thongchua, 38, teacher, pose for a portrait in Bangkok, Thailand, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
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Pitee Chuchomchuen, 39, designer, left, and Prorawin Battemdee, 40, public relations officer, pose for a photograph in Bangkok, Thailand, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
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