Michael Olise came off the bench to inspire France to a 4-1 win over Belgium in the UEFA Nations League on Monday, handing Zinedine Zidane his first home victory since taking charge. Dodi Lukebakio put Belgium on course for their first competitive win over Les Bleus in 45 years when he fired the visitors in front in the first half at the Stade de France. But France turned the match on its head in a blistering finish, scoring four times in the final 13 minutes to preserve Zidane’s unbeaten start and move closer to the quarter-finals.
Desire Doue hauled France level in the 77th minute with a low drive from the edge of the area before Olise teed up Rayan Cherki to fire them ahead four minutes later. Olise then put the result beyond doubt with a third goal before adding another in stoppage time to cap a stunning French comeback. Maarten Vandevoordt, making his debut in goal for Belgium, kept out efforts from Esteban Lepaul and Cherki as France pressed for an equaliser, but the dam eventually burst. Olise scrambled in a third in the 88th minute and rolled in a fourth after skilful work from Doue to complete a remarkable turnaround.
France, who also beat Belgium 1-0 in Brussels last week thanks to a late Olise goal, moved three points clear of Italy at the top of Group A1, with Belgium another point back. Italy beat Turkey 3-1 in Bologna to condemn their opponents to a fourth straight loss.
Former World Cup and Ballon d’Or winner Zidane heavily rotated his team for the last match of this two-week long international window, with only Ousmane Dembele keeping his place among the 10 changes.
