France hit four late goals against Belgium as Italy go second

France scored four times in the final 13 minutes to beat Belgium 4-1 in the Uefa Nations League on Monday, preserving Zinedine Zidane’s unbeaten record as coach. Italy moved into second place in Group A1 with a 3-1 victory over Turkey in Bologna.

Dodi Lukebakio’s first-half goal had put Belgium ahead at the Stade de France, but France’s substitutes turned the match around. The result leaves France three points clear of Italy, with Belgium a further point behind.

France’s late surge

Desire Doue began the comeback with a low shot from the edge of the box. Michael Olise then pulled the ball back for Rayan Cherki to put France ahead, before scoring twice himself, including a stoppage-time goal that completed the turnaround.

All four France goals came from substitutes. Olise, who plays for Bayern Munich, has scored four times in his last three matches for France despite starting only once.

“I think we played well at the end. The first half was difficult.. but we kept going and we’re happy,” Olise told TF1. He added: “It’s a team effort. He (Zidane) brings his own ideas and we follow him. We’ve done well in these four games and we’ll keep going.”

Italy move up in Group A1

Gianluca Scamacca gave Italy the lead against Turkey, but Aral Simsir equalised just after the hour. Riccardo Calafiori and Pio Esposito then scored to secure Italy’s second win over Turkey in successive weeks, following a 4-1 victory in Bursa.

Italy coach Roberto Mancini acknowledged that his side had struggled at times. “There was fatigue all around, and we struggled a bit. But we did well to score, and then to score again right after they equalised,” he said.

Other results and what comes next

Northern Ireland stayed top of Group B2 after a 0-0 draw with Georgia in Belfast, where Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili saved a late Isaac Price penalty. Hungary moved to within a point of them by beating Ukraine 2-1 in a match played in Slovakia.

In Group B4, Viktor Gyokeres scored for the seventh Nations League game in a row as Sweden won 1-0 in Romania. Sweden are two points ahead of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who beat Poland 1-0. Cyprus defeated Latvia 2-1 in Group C2, while Montenegro and Armenia drew 0-0.

France will finish their Group A1 campaign away to Italy and at home to Turkey next month. Mancini said Italy would likely have to fight to secure second place in Belgium.