Zidane’s Late Substitutions Spark 4-1 France Comeback Victory Over Belgium

France struck four times in the final 13 minutes at the Stade de France to secure a 4-1 victory over Belgium on October 5, 2026. The dramatic turnaround gave Zinedine Zidane his first home win since taking over the national team following the 2026 World Cup.

Belgium took a 1-0 lead after Dodi Lukébakio opened the scoring in the 35th minute. France, playing without injured captain Kylian Mbappé, lacked rhythm for much of the evening until Zidane’s late tactical interventions fundamentally altered the game’s trajectory.

France scored four times in the closing stages to secure the Nations League points.

The Olise and Doué Impact

The comeback was fueled by a trio of substitutes who exploited a tiring Belgian side that was missing stalwarts Kevin De Bruyne and Youri Tielemans. The breakthrough for the hosts arrived in the 77th minute when Désiré Doué found the back of the net to equalize. The goal ignited a late blitz that overwhelmed the visitors’ defense.

Michael Olise, who began the match on the bench as part of a significant squad rotation, became the primary architect of the victory. Olise scored a brace with goals in the 88th and 91st minutes. He further influenced the final scoreline by providing the assist for Rayan Cherki to add the fourth, ensuring a comfortable margin that seemed unlikely just 15 minutes earlier.

Transitioning to a New Generation

Zidane’s selection for the match signaled a clear departure from the conservative tactical approach of the previous era. The manager handed international debuts to Leny Yoro and Guillaume Restes. This youth-centric approach allowed France to maintain a high tempo late in the match, ultimately wearing down a Belgian team that had controlled the first hour of play.

introduced several young players into the squad for the UEFA Nations League fixture.

The result solidifies France’s position at the top of UEFA Nations League Group A1. With 10 points from four matches (three wins and one draw), Les Bleus hold a three-point lead over Italy. Belgium remains in third place with six points.

France will conclude their group-stage campaign in November 2026 with fixtures against Italy and Türkiye. While the team has not yet officially qualified for the quarter-finals, their current standing leaves them as favorites to progress as group winners.

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