France beat Belgium 4-1 at the Stade de France on Monday night after scoring four times in the final quarter of an hour. Belgium led through Dodi Lukebakio until the 77th minute, but substitutes Désiré Doué, Rayan Cherki and Michael Olise turned the game on its head, with Olise scoring twice late on. The France vs Belgium result sends Zinedine Zidane’s side three points clear at the top of Nations League Group A1.
France vs Belgium: Key Facts
- Result: France 4-1 Belgium
- Competition: UEFA Nations League, League A, Group 1 (Matchday 4)
- Date: Monday, 5 October 2026
- Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis
- Scorers: Lukebakio 35′ (Belgium); Doué 77′, Cherki 81′, Olise 88′ and stoppage time (France)
- Group A1 table: France 10 pts, Italy 7, Belgium 6, Turkey 0 (all played four)
How the France vs Belgium Game Unfolded
Belgium take control before the break
For more than an hour, this looked like a famous Belgian night in Paris. The visitors were sharper, more organised and more dangerous in the first half, pressing France high and breaking quickly whenever they won the ball back.
The breakthrough came just after the half-hour mark. Roméo Lavia picked out Dodi Lukebakio with a sharp pass on the counter, and the winger finished cleanly to give Belgium a deserved lead. France had their moments, with Bradley Barcola forcing a save from Maarten Vandevoordt and Estéban Lepaul denied from close range, but the home crowd was quiet at half-time and Zidane had problems to solve.
Zidane’s bench changes everything
The decisive move was Zidane turning to the players he had kept in reserve. Once Cherki and Olise came off the bench, France played with more speed, more invention and far more belief.
The equaliser arrived in the 77th minute when Doué, another of the substitutes, produced a fine finish to beat Vandevoordt. Four minutes later the comeback was complete: Olise delivered from the right and Cherki turned the ball in to put France 2-1 up.
Belgium, who had offered almost nothing in attack after the break, could not respond. Olise then added the gloss, scoring in the 88th minute and again in stoppage time to make it 4-1. Two goals and an assist from the bench is the kind of cameo that ends selection debates.
Talking Points From France 4-1 Belgium
1. Olise is becoming France’s most decisive attacker
Olise scored the late winner in Belgium when these sides met last month, and he was the difference again here. His delivery, his movement inside from the right and his finishing make him a constant threat, and he is now very difficult to leave on the bench. Read our report on Belgium 0-1 France for his first decisive moment in this group.
2. France’s depth is frightening
The most worrying thing for France’s rivals is how much quality was waiting on the bench. Doué, Cherki and Olise would walk into most international sides, and Zidane could bring them on to change a game he was losing. Few coaches in Europe have that luxury.
3. Belgium’s second-half collapse is a real concern
Belgium deserved their lead and will be furious with how the game ended. Their attacking threat faded badly after the break, and once France equalised the game ran away from them. They have now lost twice to France in a little over a week and sit third, one point behind Italy with two games left.
4. The race for the top two is now a three-way fight
France on 10 points are in a strong position. Italy moved second on seven after beating Turkey 3-1 in Bologna, while Belgium have six. With Belgium still to host Italy, and Italy still to host France, the battle for the quarter-final places should go to the final matchday.
What France vs Belgium Means for Bettors
Two trends stand out from this game. First, France have a habit of finishing strongly: both of their wins over Belgium were decided late, so in-play markets on late goals or a second-half France win are worth keeping in mind. Second, Belgium’s attack has struggled to create after the break against top opposition, which matters for second-half goal markets in their remaining games.
Catch up on our pre-match France vs Belgium prediction and the weekend’s France 1-1 Italy report, and find upcoming tips on our predictions page. Full Nations League standings are on the official UEFA website.
What Comes Next?
The final two rounds of the league phase take place in the November international window. France will expect to strengthen their grip on first place, while Belgium must find a way back into the top two, starting with a home game against Italy that now looks close to a must-win.
FAQs: France vs Belgium
What was the score in France vs Belgium?
France won 4-1 against Belgium at the Stade de France on 5 October 2026, after trailing 1-0 until the 77th minute.
Who scored for France against Belgium?
Désiré Doué and Rayan Cherki scored one each, and Michael Olise scored twice. Dodi Lukebakio scored Belgium’s goal.
Who is top of Nations League Group A1?
France lead Group A1 with 10 points from four games, ahead of Italy on seven, Belgium on six and Turkey on zero.
Can Belgium still reach the Nations League quarter-finals?
Yes. Belgium are one point behind second-placed Italy with two games left, including a home match against the Italians in November.
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