Paris ended Zinedine Zidane’s first international window in charge of France with a statement victory, as Les Bleus overturned a half-time deficit to beat Belgium 4-1 at the Stade de France and strengthen their hold on Nations League Group A1.
France remain unbeaten after four rounds of the 2026-27 competition, with three wins and one draw placing them at the top of the group. The run has come despite the early loss of Kylian Mbappé, who was injured in the opening round and subsequently withdrawn from the squad.
Zidane said there was little to fault in his first spell overseeing the national team, particularly after the response produced in Saint-Denis on Monday night.
“There is nothing to criticise from this first training period as France coach,” Zidane said after the final whistle. “Quite the opposite.”
Olise drives France’s second-half turnaround
Belgium led 1-0 at the break after a flat French opening, but the home side transformed the contest after the interval. Michael Olise, Désiré Doué and Rayan Cherki were central to the recovery, with four French goals arriving within 14 minutes.
Olise supplied the defining performance, scoring twice and setting up the goals for Doué and Cherki. His contribution turned a frustrating evening into a convincing win for the group leaders.
The result also offered Zidane evidence of the attacking depth available to France without Mbappé, as the side’s younger creative players took control once the match opened up.
Zidane identifies need for sharper attacking play
While pleased with the eventual scoreline, Zidane acknowledged that France’s first-half display fell below the required level. The lack of directness had also been visible in the 1-1 draw with Italy earlier in the campaign.
The coach said France must improve the speed and purpose of their play near the opposition penalty area, especially in the final 20 to 30 metres. He also called for more regular presence in the box, an issue he felt had appeared in most of the side’s matches so far, aside from late spells.
For now, though, France leave their opening international window with momentum, a four-goal win over Belgium and a firm position at the summit of Group A1.
