The Belgian national football team suffered its seventh defeat against France on Monday, October 5, 2026, dropping a 4-1 decision at the Stade de France in the UEFA Nations League. Despite holding the lead for more than three quarters of the match, the visitors collapsed in the final fourteen minutes following a triple substitution by France manager Zinédine Zidane, leaving a zero pointé from the double confrontation following an earlier 0-1 reverse in Brussels.
Belgium Takes Early Lead Against France
For nearly 77 minutes, the visiting side looked poised to break a winless competitive drought against its neighbor that stretches back to 1981. Midfielder Roméo Lavia delivered a 40-meter pass that set up Dodi Lukebakio for the opening goal before halftime. The Belgian defensive block successfully frustrated French attackers including Ousmane Dembélé, Bradley Barcola, and Maghnes Akliouche, maintaining a 1-0 advantage.
Tactical adjustments by Belgium manager Mark van Bommel initially yielded dividends. Operating in a low defensive block, the team neutralized France’s early pressure. “Pendant un long moment, on a fait jeu égal avec un demi-finaliste de la dernière Coupe du monde,” Van Bommel observed, noting that his squad kept possession well and executed their tactical plan before the late collapse.
Timothy Castagne praised the simplicity brought by the new manager compared to his predecessor Rudi Garcia or Domenico Tedesco, stating: “Le mieux en équipe nationale, c’est de ne pas aller dans des trucs trop compliqués où on ne comprend rien…” and adding that “Certains n’en faisaient peut-être pas assez, d’autres un peu trop…”
Zidane’s Substitutions Ignite the French Attack
The trajectory of the match shifted decisively when Zinédine Zidane introduced Michael Olise, Désiré Doué, and Rayan Cherki from the substitutes’ bench. The Belgian media dubbed the trio “les Avengers du football mondial” for their immediate impact on the pitch.
Olise scored twice and provided two assists within a span of less than forty minutes, tearing through the tiring Belgian defense. The defensive structure unravelled rapidly after substitutions, leaving Seys and Godts overwhelmed by the technical speed of the incoming French players. RTBF described the sequence as a “tornade” that dismantled the visiting defense in fourteen minutes.
Fatalism in the Belgian Press
Reaction across newspapers in Brussels and Flanders reflected a mix of exhaustion and resignation over the recurring dominance of their neighbor. La Dernière Heure noted the psychological weight of the statistic, writing that while the seventh straight loss was not the most painful, it stung because the entire nation believed an upset was possible for 77 minutes.
Le Soir characterized the finale as a complete breakdown, utilizing irony to describe the abrupt shift from a potential historic result to familiar disappointment. Former Belgian international Philippe Albert weighed in through his column in the same publication, admitting the undeniable superiority of the French roster. “Il faut savoir reconnaître le talent et la supériorité de l’adversaire quand cela saute aux yeux,” Albert stated, questioning how many goals Belgium might have conceded if Zidane had deployed his strongest lineup from the opening whistle.
Analysts Contrast Squad Depth of Both Teams
Flemish daily Het Nieuwsblad observed that the Belgian structure simply evaporated under the weight of the French steamroller, while La Libre lamented that France remains the bogeyman for the national team. Analysts across outlets emphasized the stark contrast in squad depth between the two football federations, with Het Nieuwsblad adding the observation: “quel bonheur cela doit être de disposer d’autant de talent.”
Despite the lopsided scoreline at the final whistle, Van Bommel maintained an optimistic view of his squad’s developmental trajectory during his opening weeks in charge. Pointing to the prolonged period where his side matched a World Cup semifinalist stride for stride, the manager insisted that closing the gap against elite international competition remains a matter of time.
The Belgian national team returns to competitive fixtures in the next window of the UEFA Nations League cycle, seeking to reverse its historical struggles against top-tier European opposition.
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