France rallies past Belgium 4-1 to lead Nations League group

France came from behind to beat Belgium 4-1 in a Nations League Group A1 match at the Stade de France on October 5, scoring four times in the closing stages to move to the top of the group. The win gave coach Zinedine Zidane his first home victory in charge of France and left the team three points ahead of Italy, according to multiple match reports. Belgium took the lead in the 35th minute when Dodi Lukebakio ran onto a long pass from Romeo Lavia and scored past goalkeeper Guillaume Restes. France had difficulty breaking through Belgium’s defense before the interval, and the visitors held their advantage into the second half. France equalized in the 77th minute. Désiré Doué found space near the edge of the penalty area and scored with a low shot. Four minutes later, Rayan Cherki put France ahead, with Michael Olise providing the setup. Olise then scored twice late in the match, including once in stoppage time, completing the 4-1 result. The reports agree on the scorers and broad sequence, though descriptions of how Cherki’s shot reached the net differ. Doué, Cherki and Olise had all started on the bench.