France vs Belgium 4-1: Doué, Cherki and a late Olise double turn a 77th minute deficit into Zidane’s first home win

France vs Belgium looked like a night that would hand Zinedine Zidane his first defeat as France coach. Dodi Lukébakio put Belgium ahead after 35 minutes at the Stade de France on Sunday, and the lead held until the 77th minute. Then France’s bench took over. Désiré Doué equalised, Rayan Cherki made it 2-1, and Michael Olise scored twice in the closing minutes as France won 4-1 in the UEFA Nations League.

The result keeps France unbeaten under Zidane and puts them three points clear at the top of League A Group 1 with two games left. It was also his first win at home, after the 1-1 draw with Italy at the same stadium three days earlier.

How France turned it around

Lukébakio finished a Belgium counter attack in the 35th minute, and the visitors took that lead into the second half. Chasing the game, Zidane sent on Cherki and Olise together around the hour, and later added Doué.

The change worked within minutes of all three being on the pitch. Doué turned near the edge of the box and drilled a low shot into the corner in the 77th minute. Four minutes later Olise pulled the ball back for Cherki to crash home. Olise then held off his man to make it 3-1 in the 88th minute, and Doué set him up for the fourth in stoppage time, according to ESPN and beIN Sports.

France vs Belgium goals at a glance

Source: ESPN match report and beIN Sports.

All four France goals came from players who started on the bench. Olise finished with two goals and an assist, which follows his solo winner in Belgium eight days earlier (our report on Belgium vs France).

League A Group 1 table after matchday 4

Source: ESPN standings, checked against the results listed by UEFA.

The context matters here. France have now beaten Belgium twice in eight days, 1-0 away on 28 September and 4-1 at home, and drew 1-1 with Italy in between (our France vs Italy report). Italy kept pace on Sunday by beating Türkiye 3-1, while Belgium’s two wins came against Italy and Türkiye. Türkiye are still without a point.

What’s next in Group A1

The group finishes in the November window, according to UEFA’s fixture list. France’s trip to Milan is the one that could settle first place.

• Thursday, November 12: Türkiye vs Belgium, 6pm CET (12pm ET). Italy vs France at San Siro, 8:45pm CET (2:45pm ET).
• Sunday, November 15: France vs Türkiye in Bordeaux, 8:45pm CET (2:45pm ET). Belgium vs Italy, 8:45pm CET (2:45pm ET).

A France win in Milan would leave Italy six points behind with one game to play. Belgium sit one point behind Italy, so their meeting in the final round could decide second place.

Sources

• ESPN match report: France 4-1 Belgium
• beIN Sports match report
• UEFA: 2026/27 Nations League league phase fixtures and results
• Football Italia: Italy’s Nations League venues