France produced one of the most dramatic comebacks of the UEFA Nations League campaign, scoring four times in the closing stages to defeat Belgium 4-1 at the Stade de France.
Belgium appeared on course for a valuable away victory after Dodi Lukébakio gave the visitors a first-half lead. However, Zinedine Zidane’s substitutions completely transformed the contest.
Désiré Doué equalised in the 77th minute before Rayan Cherki completed the turnaround four minutes later. Michael Olise then scored twice during a breathtaking finale, adding to his assist for Cherki and completing a remarkable individual performance.
The victory kept France unbeaten under Zidane and moved Les Bleus onto 10 points at the top of Nations League Group A1, three points clear of Italy and four ahead of Belgium.
France vs Belgium Match Summary
- Competition: UEFA Nations League
- Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis
- Result: France 4-1 Belgium
- Belgium scorer: Dodi Lukébakio, 35th minute
- France scorers: Désiré Doué 77’, Rayan Cherki 81’, Michael Olise 88’, 90+1’
- Player of the match: Michael Olise
- Group position: France lead Group A1 with 10 points
Belgium Punish France in the First Half
France controlled large spells of possession during the opening period but struggled to convert that control into clear scoring opportunities.
Belgium remained organised without the ball and looked dangerous whenever they recovered possession. The visitors’ counterattacking approach was rewarded in the 35th minute when Lukébakio finished a quick attacking move to give Belgium a surprise 1-0 lead.
France attempted to respond before halftime, but Belgium goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt and the defence in front of him protected the advantage.
Despite playing at home, Les Bleus went into the interval trailing and facing the possibility of their first defeat under Zidane.
Zidane’s Substitutions Change the Match
France continued to encounter resistance during the early stages of the second half. The hosts moved the ball around Belgium’s defensive block but lacked the speed, movement and creativity required to break it down.
Zidane responded by turning to his bench.
Olise and Cherki were introduced around the hour mark, while Doué also became increasingly influential. Their arrival gave France greater unpredictability between the lines and allowed the hosts to attack Belgium with more pace.
The changes proved decisive. All four French goals were scored by substitutes, demonstrating both the depth of Zidane’s squad and the impact of his tactical decisions.
Désiré Doué Begins the Comeback
Belgium successfully protected their lead until the 77th minute, when Doué finally found a way through.
Receiving possession near the edge of the penalty area, the young attacker created enough space to fire a low finish into the far corner. The goal lifted the Stade de France crowd and changed the momentum of the match completely.
After spending much of the evening frustrated by Belgium’s disciplined defending, France suddenly looked capable of scoring with every attack.
The equaliser also exposed the growing fatigue within the Belgian defence, which could no longer contain France’s fresh attacking players.
Olise and Cherki Combine to Complete the Turnaround
Only four minutes after Doué’s equaliser, France moved ahead.
Olise collected the ball on the right wing, slowed down his defender and then accelerated towards the byline. His intelligent cutback found Cherki arriving inside the penalty area, and the midfielder converted to make it 2-1.
It was an excellent demonstration of the understanding developing between the two creative players. Olise recognised Cherki’s late movement, while Cherki trusted his teammate to deliver the ball into the correct area.
After the match, Cherki dismissed suggestions of problems between them and stressed that both players had entered the match determined to take responsibility. He also praised the unity within the French squad, describing the group’s cohesion as exceptional.
Michael Olise Scores Twice to Finish Belgium
Olise was not finished after setting up France’s second goal.
In the 88th minute, Doué helped create space on the right before releasing the Bayern Munich forward. Olise protected the ball, waited for the goalkeeper to commit and calmly placed his finish across goal to make it 3-1.
The winger struck again in stoppage time, completing his brace and sealing an emphatic 4-1 victory.
Olise finished his cameo with two goals and one assist, directly contributing to three of France’s four goals despite playing only around half an hour. His performance earned him a perfect 10 rating from Sofascore.
The reported season tally of 39 goals and 39 assists across club and international football further underlines his extraordinary productivity. His ability to score, create and change matches from the bench has made him one of Zidane’s most important attacking weapons.
France’s Attacking Depth Sends a Warning
The result demonstrated why France remain one of the most dangerous national teams in world football.
Zidane was able to introduce Olise, Cherki and Doué when his starting attack was struggling. Instead of merely improving the performance, the substitutes completely overwhelmed Belgium during the closing stages.
France’s attacking options offer different qualities:
- Olise provides creativity, close control and a powerful left-footed finish.
- Cherki can unlock compact defences with unpredictable movement and passing.
- Doué offers pace, directness and confidence in one-on-one situations.
- Ousmane Dembélé and Maghnes Akliouche provide additional competition.
- Kylian Mbappé remains France’s primary goal threat when available.
This level of depth gives Zidane the freedom to change systems and personnel without significantly weakening the team.
What the Result Means for Nations League Group A1
France now lead Group A1 with 10 points from four matches. Italy sit second with seven points, while Belgium are third with six after allowing a winning position to slip away in Paris.
For France, the victory strengthens their position in the race to qualify for the Nations League knockout stage. It also extends Zidane’s unbeaten start as national-team coach.
Belgium, meanwhile, must recover quickly. The Red Devils competed well for more than 75 minutes, but their collapse showed how difficult it is to protect a narrow advantage against France’s collection of elite attacking players.
Olise Becomes the Face of Zidane’s New France
France’s 4-1 victory will be remembered for the four-goal late explosion, but Olise was the player who made the decisive difference.
His introduction increased the speed of France’s attacks, created space for Cherki and Doué and transformed a potential defeat into an emphatic victory.
Two goals, one assist and three direct goal contributions in a short cameo represented another statement performance from the Bayern Munich star. If Olise maintains this form, he will be one of the first names in Zidane’s strongest France lineup.
France were frustrated for most of the evening, but their response showed resilience, tactical flexibility and exceptional squad depth. For Belgium, it was a brutal reminder that matches against Les Bleus are never over until the final whistle.
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