In an electrifying display, France triumphed over Belgium with a decisive 4-1 victory in the Nations League on Monday, marking Zinedine Zidane’s first home win as the national coach. The match, held at the iconic Stade de France, showcased a stunning turnaround for Les Bleus, who were trailing until the 77th minute.
The game saw an impressive performance from France’s substitutes, with Désiré Doué, Rayan Cherki, and Michael Olise contributing four goals within a remarkable 14-minute span. This late surge not only secured the win but also demonstrated the depth and talent within the French squad.
“Tonight, this is soccer, this is what we love,” Zidane expressed after the match. “We faced some difficulties in the first half but that’s part of the game. It’s good to set things right — which is what we did — and we managed to play an extraordinary second half.”
With this victory, France solidified its position at the top of Group A1, three points clear of Italy, who also won their match against Turkey. Belgium, now sitting in third, has fallen four points behind the leaders, while Turkey remains at the bottom of the group without any points.
Zidane’s tenure has started positively, with victories against both Turkey and Belgium, although he faced a setback with a draw against Italy in his home debut just days prior. “It’s a collective effort, too,” noted Olise. “He (Zidane) brings in ideas, we follow them — we’ve done that well over the last four matches.” This reflects a growing understanding and synergy within the team under Zidane’s leadership.
The match itself saw Belgium take the lead in the 35th minute when Dodi Lukébakio capitalized on a precise long pass from Roméo Lavia, scoring past debutant goalkeeper Guillaume Restes. However, Zidane’s tactical changes and the quality of the substitutes turned the tide in France’s favor.
Doué equalized in the 77th minute with a well-placed shot, and Cherki’s strike shortly after was fortuitously redirected into the net by Belgium’s goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt. Olise then added two more goals to seal the match, showcasing the effectiveness of Zidane’s substitutions. “We knew the substitutes could change the game because they are high-quality players,” Zidane remarked. “But, once again, it was a complete team performance.”
Meanwhile, in Italy, Roberto Mancini also aimed for a home win as he returned to the national team helm. After a rocky start, Mancini found success in away matches against Belgium and Turkey. In their latest outing, Italy overcame Turkey with a score of 3-1, showcasing their resilience and tactical prowess.
Italy’s victory was anchored by Gianluca Scamacca’s volley, followed by a header from Riccardo Calafiori, solidifying their position in the group as they continue to navigate through the Nations League.
In other matches, Victor Gyökeres continued his scoring streak, finding the net for Sweden in a 1-0 victory over Romania, further establishing himself as a key player in the tournament.
As the Nations League progresses, the performances of teams like France and Italy highlight the competitive spirit and skill present in European football, setting the stage for thrilling matches ahead.
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