France roar back against Belgium as Italy overcome Turkiye in Nations League

France scored four times in the final 13 minutes to beat Belgium 4-1, while Italy defeated Turkiye 3-1 in Bologna to strengthen their positions in UEFA Nations League Group A1.

Zinedine Zidane’s France remain unbeaten and three points clear at the top of the group. Italy moved into second place after recording another strong home win, while Turkiye remain without a point and face relegation to League B with two matches still to play.

France punish Belgium late

Belgium made the breakthrough in the 35th minute after Romeo Lavia split the France defence with a precise pass for Dodi Lukebakio. The winger kept his composure to beat France goalkeeper Guillaume Restes, putting the visitors in front.

Both teams were giving goalkeepers their international debuts. Restes made a confident start by keeping out a long-range effort from Romelu Lukaku, while Belgium’s Maarten Vandevoordt came quickly off his line to deny Bradley Barcola.

France dominated possession but struggled to break through Belgium’s disciplined defence. Nicolas Raskin blocked a shot from Eduardo Camavinga and Hans Vanaken intervened to stop an effort by Ousmane Dembele.

France continued to press after the interval, although Belgium remained stubborn. Lavia blocked another attempt before receiving a booking that rules him out of Belgium’s next match.

Zidane changed three players on the hour and the substitutes helped alter the contest. Michael Olise soon threatened, while Rayan Cherki saw a curling attempt tipped wide. Nathan Ngoy then deflected Barcola’s shot narrowly off target.

France finally levelled in the 77th minute. Lucas Da Cunha picked out Desire Doue on the edge of the penalty area and the forward guided the ball into the bottom corner.

The hosts completed the turnaround three minutes later when Olise’s cutback reached Cherki. His shot went in despite Vandevoordt getting a hand to it.

Olise then added France’s third before scoring again after another impressive contribution from Doue. The victory gives France three wins in four matches under Zidane, while Belgium stay third in Group A1.

Scamacca sets Italy on course

Turkiye began positively in Bologna, with Ozan Kabak, Salih Ozcan and Yunus Akgun all testing Gianluigi Donnarumma during the opening stages.

Italy appeared to have taken the lead when Gianluca Scamacca finished after being played through, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Scamacca was soon celebrating legitimately. Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s cross found the striker, who struck a powerful volley against the underside of the crossbar and into the net.

Turkiye continued to pose a threat after half-time. Aral Simsir rounded Donnarumma but was unable to get his shot away before the visitors eventually equalised after the hour.

Zeki Celik sent a cross towards the back post, where Eren Elmali flicked the ball into the path of Simsir. He tapped in his first international goal.

Italy restored their advantage four minutes later. Substitute Riccardo Calafiori rose above Elmali to head Nicolo Barella’s free-kick beyond Ugurcan Cakir.

Donnarumma then parried a powerful strike from Ozcan as Turkiye searched for another equaliser. Italy sealed the points on the counter when Alessandro Romano crossed for substitute Francesco Pio Esposito to side-foot home.

The result extends Italy’s unbeaten record against Turkiye to 16 matches.