France Beats Belgium 4–1 After Stunning Late Comeback in Nations League
October 5, 2026
France produced a spectacular late comeback to beat Belgium 4–1 in Paris, scoring four times in the final stages of the match and moving to the top of UEFA Nations League Group A1.
Belgium looked on course for a major result at the Stade de France after Dodi Lukébakio gave the visitors the lead. But France completely changed the game in the closing stages, producing a remarkable attacking surge that turned a difficult night into a convincing victory.
Belgium Strikes First
Belgium took the lead in the 35th minute when Lukébakio found the net, putting the visitors ahead after France had enjoyed significant possession without converting that control into a goal.
The Belgian advantage remained intact for much of the second half, creating the possibility of a memorable away victory against France.
Four Goals Change Everything
France finally found its breakthrough in the 77th minute. Désiré Doué produced the equaliser with a long-range effort, bringing the hosts back into the match.
Only minutes later, Rayan Cherki put France ahead after connecting with a cross from Michael Olise.
Olise then took centre stage himself. The winger scored France's third goal in the 88th minute before adding another in stoppage time, completing a four-goal French surge that transformed the match.
France Moves Clear at the Top
The victory takes France to 10 points in Group A1, putting them ahead of Italy on seven points and Belgium on six.
Italy also won on the same night, defeating Türkiye 3–1, meaning the battle for the top positions remains significant. France, however, now has an important advantage after collecting another three points in a dramatic home victory.
A Strong Statement From France's Squad Depth
One of the most striking features of the match was the impact of France's attacking options. Doué, Cherki and Olise were decisive in transforming the result, underlining the depth available to the French team.
The victory was particularly notable because France did not have to rely on one individual to rescue the match. Several attacking players stepped forward during the decisive spell.
Belgium Left to Regret a Lost Lead
For Belgium, the final score was harsh considering how long the team remained ahead and how competitive the match had been.
The visitors successfully frustrated France for much of the game and appeared capable of leaving Paris with an important result. But once France equalised, the momentum shifted dramatically.
The four goals scored in the closing stages completely changed the character of the match and turned Belgium's promising position into a heavy defeat.
France Sends a Message
The 4–1 scoreline therefore tells only part of the story. For more than an hour, Belgium had put France under pressure. Then, in a remarkable final spell, France turned the match around and finished the night at the top of Group A1.
For France, the comeback provides another three points and valuable momentum. For Belgium, it is a reminder that remaining competitive for most of a match is not enough when an opponent can produce such a decisive late attacking burst.
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