It was 76nd minute of the France – Belgium match in Paris and the result was still a shocking 0-1. Zinedine Zidane was on the brink of his first defeat as the country’s coach just five minutes later, it was already 2-1 for Les Bleus. France didn’t play well, didn’t create good chances, but when the former Real manager brought in his real stars, things soon changed and the game finished 4-1 for the hosts. Belgium played well, were organised, used their best chance of the game, but France is just too strong. The visitors were deprived of two very important players, Kevin De Bruye and Youri Tielemans who were suspended for this match, and should be given credit for leading for 76 minutes, but when it mattered, France won on the simple fact that they had far better individuals.The hosts were struggling, but only because Zidane decided to rotate and kept his stars on the bench. But when it looked like the defeat could really happen, the French boss fielded out his ‘heavy artillery’ and Olise, Doue and Cherki came in. Olise was the match winner in Belgium, but in Paris, he scored two goals when the game was already over. Doue was the one who equalised and assisted in two other goals. And Kylian Mbappe was not even on the team….It was a week first half with only one goal and two slim chances. France dominated possession but failed to do anything offensively, while Belgium used their only good opportunity in the first 45 minutes. Lukaku tried from 20 meters away in the 11th minute, but the shot was too weak. Leapul had the best chance for France when he got a good ball from Dembele but in the end, the ball went over the bar. And then Chelsea’s Lavia made a beautiful pass from his own half and Lukebakio was suddenly all alone with the French keeper for an easy 1-0 and a shock in Paris.The second half was much better for the home team, who had a good opportunity in the 60th minute. Again, it was Dembele who set up Lepaul, but his shot was deflected for a corner in the last second. Zidane introduced Olise, Cherki and Da Cunha and gave them half an hour to turn the game around. Belgium keeper Vandevoordt dived to tip the ball behind for a corner in the 68th minute, after Cherki’s powerful shot from 20 meters nearly went in. Barcola’s shot in the 73rd minute was destined for the goal, but it touched Belgium’s defender and went for a corner. And then the powerful trio of Doue, Olise and Cherki put their effort together, scored two goals within nine minutes, and two more in the dying stages of the match to make the win ever more convincing. And nobody will remember that it was 1-0 for Belgium with 13 minutes to go…UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE – DIVISION AMondayFrance – Belgium 4-1 (0-1)/Doue 77, Cherki 81, Olise 88, 90+1 – Lukebakio 35/Italy – Turkey 3-1 (1-0)/Scamacca 26, Calafiori 64, Esposito 87 – Simsir 61/Tuesday21.45: (7.75) Croatia (5.10) Spain (1.37)21.45: (1.13) England (9.00) Czech R. (17.0)***odds are subject to change***
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