Michael Olise’s stellar performance, including multiple goals, propelled France to victory over Belgium, extending their unbeaten run in the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Nations League to four matches (3 wins, 1 draw).
France dominated Belgium 4-1 in the fourth round of Nations League Group A at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis on Tuesday.
This triumph keeps France undefeated in four Nations League fixtures, topping the group with 10 points. Zinedine Zidane, who took the reins of the French national team after the 2026 North American World Cup, has yet to taste defeat in his four-game tenure.
Belgium, having faced France twice during the September-October international break, suffered back-to-back losses and now sits third in the group with a 2-2 record (6 points).
Belgium started brightly, holding off France’s attacks and drawing first blood in the 35th minute through Dodi Lukebakio.
Despite controlling possession, France struggled to find the net. They shook things up in the 60th minute, bringing on Michael Olise and Rayan Cherki, followed by Désiré Doué in the 72nd minute.
The substitutions paid off handsomely. Just five minutes after entering the fray, Doué leveled the score in the 77th minute with a clinical left-footed turning shot from the edge of the penalty area.
Four minutes later, France took the lead. Olise carved open the Belgian defense on the right flank, delivering a pinpoint low cross that Cherki emphatically converted.
Riding the momentum, France extended their lead in the 88th minute through Olise. The youngster wasn’t done yet, adding another in stoppage time to put the game beyond doubt.
Olise has been on fire during this international window, contributing to the scoresheet in four consecutive matches with an impressive tally of 4 goals and 2 assists.
In the same group, Italy secured a 3-1 home victory over Turkey.
Gianluca Scamacca put Italy ahead in the 26th minute. Turkey’s Aral Simşir equalized in the 61st minute, but Riccardo Calafiori restored Italy’s lead just three minutes later.
Italy continued to press, with Francesco Pio Esposito sealing the win in the 87th minute.
Under Roberto Mancini’s guidance, Italy bounced back from an opening 2-0 loss to Belgium with three unbeaten games (2 wins, 1 draw). They now sit second in the group with 7 points. Turkey, meanwhile, props up the table after four straight defeats.