nigeriasport.ng

France's Stunning Comeback Against Belgium Fueled by Michael Olise and Desire Doue

At Stade de France, France pulled off an incredible late surge, overturning a 0-1 disadvantage to defeat Belgium 4-1 in the UEFA Nations League. For most of the match, Belgium held the lead thanks to Dodi Lukebakio’s first-half goal, but France exploded in the last 14 minutes with four goals to seal a memorable victory.

Despite controlling possession with 61% and generating an expected goals (xG) of 2.38, Les Bleus struggled to break through a disciplined Belgian defense for much of the game. The turning point came late as France’s fitness and bench strength overwhelmed a tiring Belgian side, changing the game’s rhythm completely.

The impact of young substitutes was decisive. Between the 77th minute and stoppage time, France scored four times, dominating with 24 shots overall compared to Belgium’s 5. The quality of finishing reflected their relentless pressure.

Goalkeeper and Defense

  • Guillaume Restes - 6/10: Little work required but made a good save and showed solid distribution. Not at fault for the Belgian goal.
  • Leny Yoro - 7/10: Calm debut with strong recovery speed and aerial ability, key in limiting Belgium to two shots on target.
  • Maxence Lacroix - 6/10: Reliable presence keeping a high defensive line, though briefly caught out for the opener.
  • Jules Kounde - 7/10: Active from right-back, providing attacking outlets and solid defensive positioning.
  • Andy Diouf - 6/10: Balanced left-side defender who maintained discipline, preventing counter-attacks.

Midfield Performances

  • Eduardo Camavinga - 7/10: Controlled the midfield, recycling possession effectively and breaking lines with passing before being subbed off late.
  • Manu Kone - 6/10: Offered physicality but struggled to create decisive chances, replaced early in the second half.
  • Maghnes Akliouche - 6/10: Quiet display, found it tough to find space; part of the tactical shift that sparked the comeback.

Attackers’ Contributions

  • Ousmane Dembele - 6/10: Team captain but frustrating for fans; many dribbles attempted without end product, substituted after an hour.
  • Bradley Barcola - 6/10: Showed bursts of speed but was often doubled up on and unable to break through.
  • Esteban Lepaul - 6/10: Led the line but isolated; lacked service to test Belgium’s goalkeeper significantly.

Substitutes Who Changed the Game

  • Desire Doue - 9/10: Came on in the 72nd minute and flipped the match. Scored the equalizer and assisted twice, sparking the turnaround.
  • Michael Olise - 9/10: Entered at 60 minutes and delivered a sensational display with one assist and two late goals to clinch victory.
  • Rayan Cherki - 8/10: Another key sub who scored the go-ahead goal with calm composure and technical skill in tight areas.
  • Lucas Da Cunha - 7/10: Energized the midfield after coming on and assisted the equalizing goal.
  • Adrien Rabiot - N/A: Brief appearance to close out the match.

Manager’s Tactical Masterstroke

Zinedine Zidane earned top marks for his game management. Despite a sluggish start from the starting lineup, his substitutions brought fresh energy and creativity. Recognizing the need for individual brilliance, Zidane’s introduction of Doue, Olise, and Cherki turned a near-defeat into an emphatic win.

Related Articles