France produced one of the great late comebacks to beat Belgium 4-1 at the Stade de France, with four goals in the final 13 minutes overturning a first-half deficit as Zinedine Zidane claimed his first home win as national coach.
A Frustrating First Half for France
Belgium struck first, with Dodi Lukébakio firing the visitors into a shock lead in the 35th minute — a goal France would spend much of the rest of the match chasing. The hosts had chances to respond before the break, with Ousmane Dembélé setting up Esteban Lepaul in the 33rd minute, only for the striker to lift his effort over the bar from close range. Belgium debutant goalkeeper Vandevoordt then marked his first cap in style, producing a superb fingertip save to deny a curling Rayan Cherki effort, as France’s frustration continued to build.
Zidane’s Substitutions Change Everything
With France still trailing heading into the final quarter of the match, Zidane turned to his bench — and the gamble paid off spectacularly. Désiré Doué pulled France level in the 77th minute, before Rayan Cherki put the hosts ahead for the first time just four minutes later in the 81st minute. Michael Olise, who had been so decisive against Belgium just days earlier, then took over completely, scoring twice in the space of three second-half stoppage-time minutes — in the 88th and 90+1st minutes — to turn a tense, goalless contest into a resounding 4-1 victory.
What It Means
This dramatic win sends France top of Group A1 with 10 points from four games, securing Zidane’s first home victory since taking charge and showcasing the attacking depth available from his bench. For Belgium, having led for the majority of the match only to concede four goals in the closing stages will be a bitterly disappointing way to fall to defeat, leaving them on 6 points as they regroup for their remaining fixtures.
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