UEFA Nations League: Olise shines again as France record comeback win against Belgium in Vandevoordt’s debut

Michael Olise scored twice and assisted Rayan Cherki in his 25-minute cameo appearance as France returned to winning ways with a 4-1 comeback victory over Belgium. Zinedine Zidane’s first win at Stade de France was all about the substitutes.

Belgium took an early lead with former Fortuna Düsseldorf, Hertha BSC and Wolfsburg winger Dodi Lukebakio scoring for the second time in the competition. The hosts struggled to convert their dominance into chances until Olise, Cherki, Lucas Da Cunha and Desire Doue came off the bench.

Only those four supersubs contributed directly to the four goals scored after the 77th minute. Doue started the comeback with the equalizer before Olise provided a timely assist for Cherki’s strike four minutes later.

The FC Bayern superstar then scored two late goals to secure a 4-1 victory for Les Bleus. Doue provided both assists as Olise stayed calm in front of goal against Maarten Vandevoordt. The RB Leipzig goalkeeper had to take the ball out of his net four times on his Belgium debut.

Olise scored four goals and assisted twice in France’s first four games under Zidane, including on his substitute appearances in both matches against Belgium. In the absence of the injured Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele’s poor showing, the 24-year-old has been France’s primary go-to man in their UEFA Nations League campaign.

France sit top of Group A1 ahead of the final two rounds in November’s international break. Italy climbed past Belgium after their second win over Türkiye, who are yet to pick up a point in the group.

Meanwhile, Bosnia and Herzegovina started life without Edin Džeko with a narrow win over Poland in League B action. Nikola Katic and Ermedin Demirovic featured for Sergej Barbarez’s side, while Magdeburg’s Mateusz Zukowski started for Poland in place of suspended Robert Lewandowski.