France turned a tense Nations League night against Belgium on its head, with Rayan Cherki finishing a decisive move four minutes after Désiré Doué had brought the scores level. The 4-1 win marked Zinédine Zidane’s third victory as France coach.
Belgium had led through Dodi Lukebakio’s 35th-minute goal and held that advantage deep into the second half. France’s bench changed the direction of the match.
Substitutes reshape the contest
Lucas Da Cunha replaced Manu Koné in the 60th minute, while Michael Olise and Cherki also entered around the hour mark. Doué was introduced in the 72nd minute and made an immediate impact five minutes later, converting Da Cunha’s pass to equalise.
France then found the winner in the 81st minute. Olise drove down the right flank, beat Joaquin Seys and pulled the ball back for Cherki. The Manchester City forward struck past Maarten Vandevoordt, whose handling of the effort was far from convincing.
It was Cherki’s third goal for France at the age of 23, and it completed a rapid reversal after Lukebakio had put Mark Van Bommel’s Belgium ahead.
Olise finishes with a double
Olise was central to France’s recovery, supplying Cherki’s goal before the Bayern Munich winger completed a brace as France stretched the final score to 4-1.
The result gave Zidane a third success since taking charge of the national team, with his replacements providing the defining moments of the evening.
