SAINT-DENIS — The transformation of the French national team under Zinedine Zidane reached a fever pitch on Monday night at a packed stadium near Paris, as Les Bleus executed a jaw-dropping late-game surge to dismantle Belgium 4-1. While the scoreline suggests a routine victory, the reality was a tactical chess match that remained deadlocked in favor of the visitors for the better part of 75 minutes.
For Zidane, the result marks a significant personal milestone: his first home victory as national team head coach. It was a performance that underscored not only his tactical flexibility but also the immense depth of talent currently at his disposal, as a flurry of second-half substitutions completely reconfigured the trajectory of the Nations League clash.
France turn the game around late
The atmosphere in Saint-Denis was tense as the match entered its final quarter. Belgium, playing with defensive discipline and clinical efficiency, had stifled the French attack since the 35th minute, when Dodi Lukébakio silenced the home crowd with a well-taken opener. For long stretches, Belgium’s backline looked impenetrable, forcing Zidane to make bold, decisive adjustments from the touchline.
The tactical gamble paid off in spectacular fashion. The introduction of fresh legs shifted the tempo, overwhelming a tiring Belgian side. The dam finally broke in the 77th minute when Désiré Doué surged forward to slot home a low-driven equalizer, igniting the home crowd and shifting the momentum firmly into French hands.
Once the seal was broken, the floodgates opened. Just minutes later, Rayan Cherki found space on the edge of the box; his strike took a wicked, game-changing deflection off the fingertips of Belgian goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt, nestling into the back of the net to put France in the lead.
With the momentum firmly behind them, France did not take their foot off the gas. Michael Olise, proving to be the architect of the closing stages, turned a competitive match into a rout by netting two goals in a clinical three-minute span. The four-goal blitz between the 77th and 91st minutes left the Belgian defense in tatters and secured a vital three points.
Zidane hails the “extraordinary” squad depth
Speaking to the media after the match, a visibly pleased Zidane emphasized that the comeback was a testament to the collective spirit of the group rather than individual brilliance alone.
“Tonight, this is soccer, this is what we love,” Zidane remarked. “We faced some difficulties in the first half but that’s part of the game; it’s the kind of match you get from time to time. It’s good to set things right—which is what we did—and we managed to play an extraordinary second half.”
When asked about the impact of his bench, the manager was quick to credit the quality of his squad. “We knew the substitutes could change the game because they are high-quality players. But, once again, it was a complete team performance; while the substitutes might have made the difference when they came on, everyone has been good over these past two weeks—everyone played their part, and that’s what stands out to me.”
Olise, reflecting on the win, echoed his manager’s sentiments regarding the squad’s philosophy. “It’s a collective effort, too,” Olise noted. “He brings in ideas, we follow them—we’ve done that well over the last four matches, we’re going to continue like this.”
The win cements France’s position at the summit of Group A1, moving them three points clear of Italy, who kept their own ambitions alive with a 3-1 victory over Turkey. For Belgium, the loss is a difficult blow; they now sit third, trailing the French by four points and facing an uphill battle to recover in the remaining group fixtures.
Italy and Sweden stay in contention
Elsewhere in the Nations League, the competition remains fierce. In a high-stakes encounter, Italy proved their resilience after Turkey managed to claw back an equalizer. The Azzurri regained control through goals from Gianluca Scamacca, Riccardo Calafiori, and Pio Esposito, asserting their dominance and keeping the pressure on France for the top spot.
Meanwhile, the Swedish juggernaut continues to roll on. Victor Gyökeres extended his remarkable run of form, netting the lone goal in Sweden’s 1-0 victory over Romania. The result marks his seventh consecutive Nations League appearance with a goal, cementing his status as one of the most clinical strikers in the tournament.
In Group B2, the defensive grit of Northern Ireland proved sufficient to keep them at the top of the table following a hard-fought 0-0 stalemate with Georgia. Elsewhere, Hungary bolstered their standing with a 2-1 result against Ukraine, keeping the mid-table battle tight as the international window draws to a close.
As the dust settles on this intense round of fixtures, the narrative remains clear: under Zidane, France is not just winning games; they are proving that they have the tactical patience and the attacking firepower to overwhelm any opponent, provided they are given the time to find their rhythm. For the fans in Saint-Denis, it was a night of relief, redemption, and, ultimately, a glimpse of a team hitting its stride at exactly the right time.
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