PLAYER RATINGS | France 4-1 Belgium: Zidane’s substitutions to the fore as Les Bleus suffocate Belgium in fifteen minutes
· Yahoo Sports
UEFA Nations League Matchday 4, 05/10/2026
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France scored four past Belgium in the last fifteen minutes through their inspired substitutes to cap off a famous home win for Zinédine Zidane. The UEFA Nations League quarter-finals are all but in sight for Les Bleus
The Match
Like he did last week against Belgium, in Brussels, Zidane proceeded to wholesale changes for tonight’s home game against Mark van Bommel’s Red Devils. In the absence of the injured Jérémy Jacquet, Leny Yoro was handed his maiden international bow, like Toulouse goalkeeper Guillaume Restes. The likes of Manu Koné, Eduardo Camavinga, Estéban Lepaul and Bradley Barcola regained their place in France’s starting line-up.
Although the team was different, France looked the same as they did against Italy on Friday: Zidane’s trademark 4-3-3 locked Belgium in their own half. Les Bleus were as dominant in possession as they were wasteful in the final third. After a poor shift as centre-forward against the Azzurri, Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé was this time deployed as a right winger, but he continued to disappoint, misplacing countless passes and shots. In the combined absences of both Kylian Mbappé and Michael Olise, it was hard to see who could make the difference for France.
For their part, Belgium bid their time and struggled to put a dent on France’s high line. It should be noted that, for his debut, Leny Yoro put in a commendable stint. But Les Bleus were the makers of their own misfortune. Dembélé was dispossessed again, Belgium regrouped and Lavia spotted a flaw in France’s backline to pick Dodi Lukebakio’s run; played onside by Andy Diouf, the SL Benfica striker raced through to beat Restes.
The second half offered more of the same. Belgium only had to sit in a low block to frustrate a motionless France side. Their opponents had a few forays forward, but Lacroix and Yoro kept Lukaku and co. at arm’s length. At the hour mark, Zidane blinked and went for a triple change with the introductions of Michael Olise, Rayan Cherki and Lucas Da Cunha. France suddenly felt alive, upping their level with as Belgium stepped a back or two.
Zidane’s fourth substitute, Désiré Doué, eventually restored parity with an inspired venomous low shot from inside the penalty area at the 77th minute. Four minutes later, Zidane’s great plan came into motion again with Olise and Cherki combining for the Manchester City man to send Stade de France into frenzy, and Les Bleus into the lead.
Belgium were left properly stunned, and they conceded two more carbon copy goals in the dying minutes with Doué and Olise combining to devastating effect. In the end, Zidane’s ability to call on world-beaters like Cherki, Olise and Doué made the difference. The UEFA Nations League quarter-finals are in sight.
France player ratings
Guillaume Restes – 5
Andy Diouf – 3
Zinédine Zidane reportedly complained to the French FA for the lack of full-backs performing at the highest level at his disposal. He made his point clear in calling up Inter’s Andy Diouf – a midfielder by trade turned right-back – as a left-back. He struggled to make his mark and his positioning was questionable for Lukebakio’s goal. Adrien Truffert’s No. 1 spot looks clear.
Maxence Lacroix – 6
Leny Yoro – 6
The Manchester United centre-back hardly put a foot wrong and played his part in cutting the transmissions to Romelu Lukaku. Not as impressive as Jérémy Jacquet, but a very decent start to international life nevertheless.
Jules Koundé – 4
Manu Koné – 4
Eduardo Camavinga – 6
Maghnes Akliouche – 4
Bradley Barcola – 4
Estéban Lepaul – 4
Ousmane Dembélé – 3
With the PSG striker, Zinédine Zidane might have a Ballon d’Or-shaped issue to deal with. Dembélé embodied France’s wastefulness in the final third. In the first half alone, he lost a staggering 14 balls, and one of them led to Lukebakio’s opener. Hooked at the hour mark and replaced by Michael Olise, who continued to show he’s France’s best player this season with three sublime goal contributions.
GFFN | Bastien Cheval