Olise Scores Twice as France Smash Belgium 4-1 in Late Nations League Blitz

France turned a Nations League Group 1 test into a 4-1 statement at the Stade de France, overturning Dodi Lukebakio’s first-half Belgian goal with four strikes in the final 13 minutes. Zinedine Zidane’s side now lead the section on 10 points after a late surge driven by his substitutes, with Michael Olise scoring twice and Rayan Cherki helping to change the rhythm of the contest.

France’s persistence finally overwhelms Belgium

The result extended France’s advantage after their 1-0 win in Brussels a week earlier, when they had begun the night on seven points at the top of the group. Zidane selected a youthful 4-3-3, giving goalkeeper Guillaume Restes a start behind an unfamiliar central-defensive partnership of Maxence Lacroix and Leny Yoro.

France created early pressure without finding a finish. Ousmane Dembele dragged an effort wide inside the opening minute, while Bradley Barcola and Esteban Lepaul also tested Belgium. Maarten Vandevoordt produced an important save from Barcola in the 16th minute.

Belgium, managed by Mark van Bommel, remained compact and prepared to break quickly. Their opening goal arrived in the 35th minute when Romeo Lavia released Lukebakio with a precise pass through the French defence. The forward was left one-on-one with Restes and drove a left-footed finish into the top corner.

France continued to dominate territory after the interval but initially found Belgium’s low block difficult to penetrate. Dembele passed up another opportunity in the 53rd minute, and Vandevoordt denied Lepaul shortly before the hour with a save from a turning attempt.

Zidane’s changes alter the attacking balance

With France still behind, Zidane made a triple attacking change, sending on Olise, Cherki and Lucas Da Cunha. Desire Doue, also introduced from the bench, would become central to the comeback.

Cherki immediately added more invention between the lines and forced Vandevoordt into an athletic stop with a curling right-footed shot. France’s equaliser followed in the 77th minute: Da Cunha found Doue, who turned on the edge of the area and placed a low left-footed effort into the corner.

It was Doue’s fourth goal in 19 senior appearances for France. More importantly, it removed the frustration that had built around the home side’s sustained possession and gave Belgium little time to recover.

1. 35th minute: Lavia’s through ball sends Lukebakio clear to put Belgium ahead.
2. 77th minute: Doue equalises after receiving Da Cunha’s pass at the edge of the box.
3. 81st minute: Olise cuts the ball back from the right and Cherki’s first-time attempt crosses the line after deflecting off Vandevoordt.
4. 88th minute: Doue and Olise combine in a tight passing move before Olise finishes for France’s third.
5. Stoppage time: Doue supplies Olise again, allowing the Bayern Munich attacker to complete the 4-1 scoreline.

A rapid finish decides the group contest

Cherki’s goal completed the turnaround only four minutes after Doue’s equaliser. Olise carried the ball down the right before finding the playmaker at the near post; Cherki struck first time, with the ball taking touches off Vandevoordt’s foot and arm before going in.

Belgium had led for close to an hour, but France’s momentum became overwhelming. Doue and Olise then exchanged quick passes on the edge of the penalty area in the 88th minute, opening space for Olise to finish calmly. In added time, Doue’s final pass released Olise for his second goal of the evening.

• France converted a 1-0 deficit into a three-goal win in under 15 minutes.
• Olise contributed two goals after entering as a substitute.
• Doue scored once and created two late goals for Olise.
• Cherki’s introduction provided a key creative outlet as France broke down Belgium’s defensive shape.
• France remain first in Group 1 with 10 points, while Belgium stay third on six.

November fixtures will settle Group 1

Italy sit second with seven points, leaving France well placed before the final international window. Zidane’s team travel to Italy before finishing their group campaign at home to Turkiye.

Belgium face an away match against Turkiye before hosting Italy in their final fixture. Their defeat in Paris also ended hopes of halting their losing sequence against France, who now carry both the points advantage and the momentum into November.