Michael Olise starred as France stormed back from behind to thrash Belgium 4-1 in the UEFA Nations League on Monday, while Italy continued their resurgence with victory over Turkey.

Dodi Lukebakio’s first-half strike had Belgium on track for a first competitive victory over France since 1981, but Zinedine Zidane turned to his star-studded bench and the hosts produced a devastating late surge.

Les Bleus struck four times in the final 13 minutes to keep Zidane’s unbeaten record as coach intact as France edged closer to a place in the quarter-finals.

Desire Doue equalised with a low shot from the edge of the box before Olise pulled the ball back for Rayan Cherki to put France ahead as the floodgates opened, with substitutes accounting for all of the hosts’ goals.

Olise put the game to bed with a scruffy third goal before he grabbed another in stoppage time to round off a breathtaking turnaround.

“I think we played well at the end. The first half was difficult.. but we kept going and we’re happy,” Olise told TF1.

The Bayern Munich winger has been France’s most influential player in the early stages of Zidane’s reign, netting four times in his last three matches despite starting only once.

“It’s a team effort. He (Zidane) brings his own ideas and we follow him. We’ve done well in these four games and we’ll keep going,” said Olise.

France hold a three-point lead over Italy in Group A1, with Belgium another point behind.

Zidane’s team will complete their group campaign with games away to Italy and at home to Turkey next month.

Source: https://www.namibian.com.na/france-roar-back-in-nations-league-as-italy-beat-turkey/