France 4-1 Belgium: Substitutes Doue, Cherki and Olise score late goals in dramatic comeback win

UEFA Nations League,
League A – 4

Stade de France

Nick Walsh

Desiré Doue 77′
Rayan Cherki 81′
Michael Olise 88′
Michael Olise 90+1′

Dodi Lukebakios 35′

France scored four goals in the end to stun Belgium with a 4-1 comeback victory in the League of Nations at the Estadio de France.

Dodi Lukebakio had headed home in the first half to put Belgium ahead and the visitors led for much of the game, but goals from substitutes Desire Doue and Rayan Cherki completed a dramatic turnaround, before Michael Olise grabbed two goals to put himself in the driving seat and win Group A4.

France end the international period unbeaten with three wins and a draw to top the group, with Belgium dropping to third after suffering their second defeat against France in the space of a week.

Belgium leaves its mark

France started brightly at the Stade de France, with Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola causing problems down the flanks as Les Bleus pushed for an early goal.

Barcola had the best chance when he was played through on goal, but his rebound attempt was comfortably saved by Maarten Vandevoordt.

Belgium gradually grew in the game, with Romelu Lukaku testing French goalkeeper Restes and Nicolas Raskin heading in a dangerous cross from Dodi Lukebakio.

Lukebakio then stunned the home side in the 35th minute, latching on to a superb pass from Lavia before firing past Restes to give Belgium a 1-0 lead.

France pushed for an equalizer before the break, but Belgium defended resolutely, with the visitors taking a deserved half-time lead.

France’s late comeback surprises Belgium

Dembele went agonizingly close at the start of the second half after his effort deflected off the post after Manu Kone’s initial effort was blocked.

Vandevoordt made a great save to deny Dembele after the Paris Saint-Germain forward worked his magic by weaving in and out before laying the ball off to Esteban Lepaul, who was unable to beat the Belgian capper.

The introductions of Cherki and Olise brought France’s attack to life, with the former lining up a sensational strike that produced an even better save from Vandevoordt as he turned it wide at full stretch.

Olise then did well to maneuver a chance for Barcola, but the Liverpool winger’s shot hit the post again just as we approached the final 15 minutes.

Barcola was replaced by his PSG team-mate Doue and within minutes the substitute drew France level with just over 10 minutes remaining, finding the back of the net with a sensational effort from 25 metres.

And just four minutes later, France were sensationally in front through Cherki, who turned Olise’s cross home in fantastic style for a huge goal in the run to win Group A4.

And the three points were wrapped up when the third substitute entered the act, with Olise latching on to Doue’s cross before slotting home.

It was another combination of Doue and Olise for the fourth as France ran away with the result, beating the hapless Vandevoordt to seal an emphatic victory.

League of Nations classification