France came from a goal down to beat Belgium 4-1 after three substitutes scored four goals in the closing minutes of the teams’ match on Monday 5 October 2026 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, in the fourth round of Group A in League A of the Nations League.
France lead the group with 10 points
The victory gave manager Zinedine Zidane his first home win since taking charge of France, three days after a 1-1 draw against Italy. It also took France to 10 points at the top of the group, three ahead of Italy and four ahead of Belgium, while Türkiye remained bottom without a point.
Belgium took the lead in the 35th minute through Dodi Lukebakio, who ran behind the French defence after a long pass from Romeo Lavia before rounding goalkeeper Guillaume Restes and scoring his first international goal. Restes was making his France debut, while the defenders appeared to wait for an offside call that never came.
France dominated possession in the first half but struggled to create chances against Belgium’s defensive block. The hosts went into the interval without scoring for an eighth consecutive match, while Zidane’s side found themselves behind for the first time since he took charge.
Zidane’s changes turn Belgium match around
Zidane made decisive changes after the break, bringing on Rayan Cherki and Michael Olise on the hour before introducing Désiré Doué about 12 minutes later. The three players, who had started on the bench, scored all four of France’s goals.
Belgium goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt, also making his international debut, saved efforts from Bradley Barcola, Esteban Lepaul, Olise and Cherki before Doué equalised in the 77th minute. The Paris Saint-Germain winger struck a left-footed cross-shot from the edge of the area that found the net. Just four minutes later, Olise passed to Cherki, who put France ahead in the 81st minute.
Olise added the third in the 88th minute, turning in the ball from close range with his right foot. He completed his brace in the first minute of stoppage time after receiving a pass from Doué and going through one-on-one with the Belgian goalkeeper before putting the ball between his legs to seal France’s 4-1 win.
Zidane explains second-half turnaround
Zidane said after the match that it embodied the football he likes, explaining that his side faced natural difficulties before correcting their course in the second half. He added that France had lacked the required final touch in the first half, but produced what he called an exceptional performance after the interval and turned the result around.
The France manager said the coaching staff knew that Olise, Cherki and Doué had the ability to change the match, given their qualities. He said all the players had contributed during the international camp, adding that the squad had embraced rotation and that those who left the pitch were happy to see the substitutes score.
Olise said France played well towards the end of the match after struggling in the first half against Belgium’s low defensive block. He added that the victory was a collective effort and that Zidane was presenting ideas the players were working to implement, stressing their desire to continue in the same way.
Olise ended the international window with four goals and two assists in four matches, despite starting only two of them. He had also scored France’s winner in their previous meeting with Belgium, a 1-0 victory on 28 September.
France face Italy and Türkiye to settle qualification
France will conclude the group stage in November with an away match against Italy on 12 November before hosting Türkiye on 15 November, in two matches that will determine their position in the qualification race for the quarter-finals.
