Written by
WorldCupSpain Editorial Team
Reviewed by
WorldCupSpain Editorial Desk
Updated
October 13, 2026
Methodology
Corrections
France turned a difficult Nations League match against Belgium into a convincing 4-1 victory with a remarkable late attacking surge at the Stade de France.Belgium led for much of the contest, but France's substitutes changed the match dramatically during the closing stages.
WHAT HAPPENED
Belgium took the lead in the 35th minute through Dodi Lukebakio.
France played without captain Kylian Mbappe and struggled to convert their possession into goals for much of the game.
The match changed during the final quarter of an hour.
Desire Doue equalised in the 77th minute.
Only four minutes later Rayan Cherki put France ahead after combining with Michael Olise.
Olise then scored twice himself as France transformed a 1-0 deficit into a 4-1 victory.
The result gave France 10 points at the top of their Nations League group.
KEY CONTEXT
The comeback was significant because France had not found a solution for more than an hour.
Belgium were able to defend their lead and force France to keep searching for a different attacking approach.
The introductions of Doue, Cherki and Olise changed the rhythm.
Rather than relying on one star player to rescue the match, France received decisive contributions from several members of a deep squad.
That is particularly important in international football, where matches can change quickly and coaches have limited time to develop alternative systems.
WHY IT MATTERS
Major international tournaments are rarely won by eleven players alone.
France's bench changed this match.
The ability to introduce players capable of creating and scoring goals can be decisive when the starting plan is not working.
France also showed emotional control. Falling behind at home to Belgium could easily have created frustration, but the team remained close enough to the game to take advantage once the momentum shifted.
WORLDCUPSPAIN ANALYSIS
France's squad depth remains one of their strongest competitive advantages.
The absence of Mbappe naturally changes the attack, yet this match demonstrated that France can still produce decisive moments through other players.
Doue, Cherki and Olise offered different movements and different problems for Belgium.
The four-goal scoreline makes the final result look comfortable, but the more useful lesson is that France were forced to adapt before they won.
That type of adaptability is more valuable than simply dominating from the opening minute.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
France remain in a strong position in the Nations League group. Their next challenge is to carry the same depth and flexibility into the November international window as the competition moves closer to determining its knockout-stage participants.