France secured a 4-1 victory over Belgium in Paris on Tuesday, delivering the first home win of the tenure under newly appointed national team manager Zinédine Zidane during the fourth matchday of the UEFA Nations League Group A1 campaign. Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise orchestrated the second-half turnaround after the hosts trailed at halftime, helping extend France’s lead at the top of the group standings.
Lukébakio Stuns Paris Before Zidane Adjustments
The visiting Belgian side opened the scoring in the 35th minute through former Hertha BSC forward Dodi Lukébakio. Capitalizing on a precise pass threaded behind the French backline, Lukébakio drove uncontested toward the penalty area and converted past French goalkeeper Guillaume Restes to give Belgium a 1-0 advantage heading into the interval.
Manager Zinédine Zidane, who had made extensive changes following Friday’s draw against Italy and retained only captain Ousmane Dembélé in his starting lineup, turned to his established personnel after the break. The tactical reshuffle sparked an immediate offensive revival for Les Bleus.
Olise Leads Second-Half Barrage
Desiré Doué leveled the score for France in the 77th minute before Rayan Cherki struck four minutes later to put the hosts ahead 2-1. Michael Olise then took command of the closing stages, delivering the assist for the go-ahead sequence before netting two goals of his own within a three-minute span in the 88th and 91st minutes to seal the 4-1 win.
The comprehensive victory lifts France to the summit of Group A1. Meanwhile, Belgium slipped to third place in the group standings following Italy’s parallel fixture.
Italy Defeats Turkey in Bologna
Scamacca rewarded the selection in the 26th minute by meeting the match’s first genuine scoring opportunity with a dropkick that struck the underside of the crossbar and bounced over the goal line. Although Turkey drew level in the 61st minute through Aral Simsir, Italy reclaimed the advantage three minutes later courtesy of a Riccardo Calafioris header. Substitute Pio Esposito secured the 3-1 final scoreline with a strike in the 87th minute, dropping Belgium to third in the group behind the Azzurri.
France Leads Group A1 as Italy Moves Second
France commands the top spot in Group A1 at the halfway point of the autumn international window, while Italy’s victory over Turkey moves the Azzurri into second position.
Who Scored in France and Italy Matches?
Who scored France’s goals against Belgium? Desiré Doué scored in the 77th minute, Rayan Cherki scored in the 81st minute, and Michael Olise added a late brace in the 88th and 91st minutes after Dodi Lukébakio opened the scoring for Belgium in the 35th minute.
What are the standings implications for Belgium? Following their 4-1 defeat in Paris and Italy’s 3-1 win against Turkey, Belgium dropped to third place in the Group A1 standings.
