France secured a dominant 4-1 victory over Belgium in the UEFA Nations League on October 5, 2026, with a flurry of late goals inspired by Zinédine Zidane’s substitutions. The win puts Les Bleus firmly in contention for the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals.
Zidane’s Changes Turn the Tide
The match saw France struggle to convert possession into goals for much of the game. Despite deploying his trademark 4-3-3 formation, which kept Belgium largely contained in their own half, France were wasteful in the final third. Ousmane Dembélé, playing as a right winger after a poor outing as a centre-forward against Italy, had a disappointing performance, misplacing numerous passes and shots. His dispossession ultimately led to Belgium’s opener.
Belgium capitalised on a French error when Dodi Lukebakio raced through to beat goalkeeper Guillaume Restes, who was making his international debut alongside Leny Yoro. Andy Diouf’s positioning was noted as questionable for Lukebakio’s goal, as the SL Benfica striker was played onside.
At the hour mark, with France still trailing and struggling to break down Belgium’s low block, Zidane made a triple substitution, introducing Michael Olise, Rayan Cherki, and Lucas Da Cunha. These changes immediately injected life into the French attack, increasing their tempo and pushing Belgium further back.
Late Goals Seal Victory
The turning point arrived in the 77th minute when Zidane’s fourth substitute, Désiré Doué, restored parity with a venomous low shot from inside the penalty area. Just four minutes later, France took the lead through a combination of Olise and Cherki, sending the Stade de France crowd into a frenzy.
Belgium, visibly stunned, conceded two more goals in the dying minutes. Both were carbon copies, with Doué and Olise combining to devastating effect, highlighting the impact of Zidane’s tactical masterclass. Michael Olise was particularly influential, contributing to three of France’s goals after his introduction.
Debuts and Key Performances
Beyond the goal scorers, the match also marked significant milestones for two young French talents. Leny Yoro, a centre-back, made his maiden international appearance and put in a commendable performance, helping to keep Romelu Lukaku and his teammates at bay. Toulouse goalkeeper Guillaume Restes also earned his first cap.
While some players like Ousmane Dembélé struggled, losing 14 balls in the first half alone, the collective effort and the decisive impact of the substitutes ultimately secured a crucial victory for France in their Nations League campaign.