Michael Olise seals late France win as Italy overwhelm Turkiye in Nations League

France maintained Zinedine Zidane’s winning start as manager with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Belgium, while Italy responded to their opening defeat by thrashing Turkiye 4-1 in Monday’s Nations League action.

Substitute Michael Olise scored two minutes from time in Brussels, driving forward from inside the Belgian half before producing an excellent finish to decide the Group A1 contest.

France were without captain Kylian Mbappe, while Zidane made nine changes to the team that beat Turkiye 1-0 last week. Belgium appeared capable of earning a result, but France gained control after Ousmane Dembele, Rayan Cherki and Olise were introduced.

Desire Doue was a constant threat to the Belgian defence and struck the woodwork twice. Belgium also had chances, with Mika Godts among their most impressive performers, but they were unable to find a way through.

“We played a good game, we deserved to win, and we are all relieved by Michael’s goal,” said France debutant Lucas da Cunha.

“My performance? The coach gave me his full confidence and told me to express myself, to do what I do at club level. I felt good on the pitch.”

Belgium centre-back Brandon Mechele felt his side had done enough to claim at least a point.

“It is a pity, especially because the goal came so late. We created chances ourselves, looked dangerous, and gave very little away. A draw would have been a fairer result,” he said.

Italy produced a commanding display in the rain in Bursa after losing their opening Nations League fixture 2-0 at home to Belgium last Friday, a disappointing start to Roberto Mancini’s return to the coaching role.

Alessandro Bastoni opened the scoring in the ninth minute, heading home from a corner, before Davide Frattesi doubled Italy’s lead 13 minutes later. He reacted quickest after Michael Kayode’s effort from the left was parried by goalkeeper Altay Bayındır.

Kayode, making his debut, added a third in the 27th minute with a low finish. Italy ended the first half with 10 attempts as they dominated the contest.

Turkiye made three changes at half-time and Barıs Alper Yılmaz reduced the deficit after the break, but Italy restored their three-goal advantage when Pio Esposito scored with a header in the 50th minute.

“The team played well, pressed high, kept possession and played the ball through. We had to focus on this match, which was a difficult one,” said Mancini, whose side travel to Paris to face France on Friday.

In Group B4, Bosnia recorded a convincing 4-2 away win against Romania in Bucharest, adding to the difficulties faced by former great Gheorghe Hagi on his return as manager.

Sweden lead the group by two points after beating Poland 3-1 in Stockholm for a second successive home victory.

Both Group B2 matches finished 0-0, with Ukraine drawing away to Georgia and Northern Ireland sharing the points with Hungary.

Montenegro moved three points clear at the top of Group C2 after Aleksa Latkovic scored a late winner in a 3-2 victory in Armenia. Montenegro have six points, while Latvia and Cyprus collected their first points after a goalless draw in Riga.