France struck four times in the final 13 minutes to come from behind and beat Belgium in the Nations League at the Stade de France on Monday. The victory saw the 2021 champions strengthen their grip on top spot in Group A with 10 points from four games.
Dodi Lukebakio put Belgium ahead in the 35th minute and they held on to their lead until the 77th minute. Zinedine Zidane's substitutions turned the game around, securing his first home win in charge and giving France their first victory after a 1-1 draw against Italy three days ago.
France, playing without captain Kylian Mbappe, should have taken the lead in the 33rd minute when Ousmane Dembele found Esteban Lepaul, but the striker lifted his shot over the bar from close range. Belgium punished them a minute later. The hosts, who controlled possession, failed to create enough chances.
Zidane made changes around the hour mark, bringing on Rayan Cherki and Michael Olise. Cherki soon created a chance for Olise, but his effort went straight at Maarten Vandevoordt. The Belgium goalkeeper then made an excellent save to deny Cherki, before Bradley Barcola saw his shot deflected wide.
France finally got their breakthrough when Desire Doue fired a low shot into the far corner. Three minutes later, Olise set up Cherki for France's second. Olise then added a third late in the game before Doue set him up for his second in stoppage time.
“Our second half, once we'd equalised, in fact, it was a completely different match. I'm happy because it's everyone's reaction,” Zidane said at the press conference after the match.
“We finish our fifteen days on a very positive note. Otherwise it would have been disappointing after these fifteen days we've spent together. It's deserved, given everything we've done, to have played this match and especially this second half. As for Olise, I've got nothing to say. What he does is just exceptional,” he added.
Italy beat Turkey
In the same Nations League group, Italy secured a 3-1 victory over Turkey, with Gianluca Scamacca, Riccardo Calafiori and Pio Esposito scoring for Italy. Aral Simsir had earlier equalised for Turkey just after the hour mark.
Roberto Mancini's side are now second in the standings, three points behind France.
(Inputs from Reuters, AFP)
