EN DIRECT France - Belgique : C'est la folie, Doué et Cherki renversent le match, les Bleus devant... Suivez le match avec nous...

France defeated Belgium 4-1 at the Stade de France in a thrilling encounter during the fourth round of the UEFA Nations League, marking a stunning turnaround led by the tactical acumen of new manager Zinédine Zidane. The victory saw France consolidate its position at the top of Group A with three points ahead of Italy and four over Belgium. The match, which took place on Monday evening, was characterized by dramatic late goals from Michael Olise, who scored twice, alongside contributions from Désiré Doué and Rayan Cherki. The game began with Belgium taking an early lead through a goal from Dodi Lukébakio, who capitalized on a well-worked move involving Roméo Lavia and Romelu Lukaku. However, France’s response came swiftly, with Doué equalizing just before halftime after a clinical finish from the left side. The second half saw a seismic shift in momentum as Zidane introduced fresh attacking options, leading to a flurry of goals in the final 20 minutes. Doué opened the scoring for France in the 78th minute, converting a left-footed shot from outside the box after receiving a pass from Olise. This goal sparked a wave of confidence, and shortly thereafter, Cherki extended the lead with a powerful strike in the 80th minute. Olise then delivered a masterclass, scoring his first goal of the match in the 89th minute following a clever assist from Cherki, followed by a second goal in the 90th minute, sealing France’s commanding 4-1 victory. Zidane’s tactical adjustments proved decisive, particularly in the latter stages of the match. The French coach made several substitutions, including bringing on Adrien Rabiot for Eduardo Camavinga, which added urgency and creativity to the attack. The result marked the third consecutive win under Zidane, with this being the first home victory in his tenure. Olise, playing for Bayern Munich, became the focal point of the comeback, showcasing both his technical ability and composure. His two goals were pivotal in turning the tide, and he praised the team’s collective effort, emphasizing the importance of trust and cohesion within the squad. “We played well in the second half,” Olise said after the match. “It was tough in the first half against a solid block, but we kept going, and it got better towards the end.” Cherki echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the unity among the players and the positive atmosphere in the dressing room. “There’s a real camaraderie with Michael,” Cherki stated. “Everything the media says about group cohesion is nonsense. From the first player to the last member of the staff, it’s amazing. We knew it wouldn’t be easy, but when we came back in with Michael, we had a responsibility to take control.” Doué, who scored the opening goal of the match, emphasized the importance of teamwork and resilience. “Everyone was involved, whether they started or came on later,” he said. “It wasn’t easy to score, especially against such a defensive side. We found the weakness and then we executed.” The performance was further underscored by the crowd’s reaction, with fans chanting “Olise Ballon d’Or” throughout the second half, reflecting the growing admiration for the young forward. While the Ballon d’Or award will be decided at the end of October, the Stade de France’s support for Olise signaled a potential shift in public perception. With the win, France secured its place at the top of Group A, maintaining a three-point advantage over Italy and a four-point edge over Belgium. The result also highlighted the effectiveness of Zidane’s strategy, as the team adapted quickly to the challenges posed by Belgium’s disciplined defense. Looking ahead, the focus will remain on the upcoming fixtures, with France set to continue its campaign in the Nations League. For now, the victory stands as a testament to the evolving dynamics within the national team and the impact of Zidane’s leadership.