France hit back to thrash Belgium as Italy, Sweden and Cyprus claim Nations League wins

France scored four times in 14 second-half minutes to beat Belgium 4-1 at the Stade de France and move top of Nations League Group A1.

Zinedine Zidane’s side had trailed after Dodi Lukebakio opened the scoring for Belgium in the first half, but a reshaped France team produced a decisive response after the interval.

Romeo Lavia released Lukebakio with a through ball in the 35th minute, catching the French defence out. The Belgian winger ran through one-on-one with Guillaume Restes and sent his finish into the top-right corner to give the visitors the lead.

France turned the match around after Zidane introduced players from his star-studded bench. Desire Doue equalised in the 77th minute, controlling a pass from Lucas Da Cunha before moving onto his left foot and finding the side netting with a low shot through a crowded penalty area.

Michael Olise then cut inside Joaquin Seys and delivered a low cross for Rayan Cherki, who finished with his left foot. The Belgium goalkeeper got a touch to the effort but could not keep it from crossing the line as France went 2-1 ahead.

Olise completed the turnaround with two further goals, scoring in the 88th minute and again in the first minute of added time. Both goals were set up by Doue, leaving Belgium reeling during a remarkable 14-minute spell.

France remain unbeaten in Group A1, with three wins and one draw, as they begin the Zinedine Zidane era. They had also won both legs of the tie by an aggregate score of 1-0.

Italy climbed to second place with a 3-1 victory over Turkey in Bologna. Gianluca Scamacca, Riccardo Calafiori and Pio Esposito scored for Italy, while Aral Simsir briefly brought Turkey level in the second half.

Italy manager Roberto Mancini admitted his squad was feeling the effects of fatigue but praised the players for responding quickly and maintaining progress in their rebuilding effort.

Sweden maintain two-point lead

Northern Ireland remain top of Group B2 after drawing 0-0 with Georgia. Giorgi Mamardashvili saved a late penalty from Isaac Price, while Hungary moved to within one point of the leaders by beating Ukraine 2-1.

In Group B4, Viktor Gyokeres scored in his seventh successive Nations League match as Graham Potter’s Sweden won 1-0 in Romania. The result kept Sweden two points ahead of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who defeated Poland 1-0.

Marcus Edwards scored late as Cyprus beat Latvia 2-1, while Montenegro and Armenia finished level at 0-0.