Paris, 06 October (H.S.): France made a strong comeback on Monday, defeating Belgium 4-1 in their Nations League 2026-27 Group A1 encounter. The victory marked France’s first home win since Zinedine Zidane took charge as head coach. In the other Group A1 fixture, Italy defeated Türkiye 3-1 to extend their unbeaten run to three matches.

At the Stade de France, Belgium took the lead in the 35th minute through Dodi Lukebakio. However, France’s substitutes completely turned the match around during the final 15 minutes. Désiré Doué equalised in the 77th minute, before Rayan Cherki put France ahead four minutes later. Michael Olise then scored twice, once just before stoppage time and again in added time, to complete a convincing victory.

Zidane said after the match, “That is football, that is what we love about it. There were difficulties, but that is part of the game and it happens in matches like these. It is good to put things right, and we did that with an exceptional second half. In the first half, we were lacking something in the final metres, but then we turned the game around, and that was good.”

Belgium took the lead after Lukebakio escaped France’s advanced defensive line to latch on to a long pass from Roméo Lavia. He then beat Guillaume Restes, making his international debut, in a one-on-one situation to score.

The 2018 World Cup champions, playing without captain Kylian Mbappé, managed to retain possession but struggled to create clear chances against Belgium’s well-organised defence. It was the eighth consecutive match in which France had failed to score in the first half.

Olise and Cherki were introduced in the 60th minute, while Doué came on 12 minutes later. France subsequently stepped up the intensity of their attacks.

Olise said, “We played well at the end. It was difficult in the first half against their deep defensive block. But we kept trying and eventually got a good result. It was a team effort. Zidane brings his ideas and we follow them. We will continue to move forward in the same way.”

Belgium goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt kept his side in the contest by denying efforts from Bradley Barcola, Esteban Lepaul, Olise and Cherki, but he was unable to prevent Doué’s strike. The Paris Saint-Germain winger produced a superb left-footed effort from the edge of the box to make it 1-1.

Four minutes later, Olise began his decisive contribution. He delivered a cross for Cherki, who finished to put France ahead. Olise then scored twice from close range within three minutes to seal an emphatic victory for France.

Italy Beat Türkiye 3-1

In the other match, Italy defeated Türkiye 3-1. Gianluca Scamacca, Riccardo Calafiori and Pio Esposito scored for Italy, while Aral Şimşir found the net for Türkiye.

Scamacca gave Italy the lead with a close-range volley, with his effort striking the crossbar before going into the net. Türkiye then produced a fine team move to equalise, with Şimşir finding the far corner of the goal.

However, three minutes later, Calafiori restored Italy’s lead with a header from a free-kick delivered by Nicolò Barella. Esposito then scored Italy’s third goal. Türkiye’s Issa Dombia and Italy’s Alessandro Romano were unable to convert their respective chances.

Italy coach Roberto Mancini said, “Although we made quite a few changes, there was fatigue all around and we had some difficulties. But we did a good job of scoring goals, and it was also good that we scored again immediately after they equalised.”

Following the victory, France lead the group with 10 points. Italy are second with seven points, while Belgium are third with six points. Türkiye are at the bottom after losing all four of their matches.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar