France – Belgium: Zidane Substitutions Turned The Game Into an Obliteration (4-1)

The last game of France in the international break saw Zidane's side struggle to unlock the sternest Belgian low block. Van Bommel's side exploited France's central and behind-the-backline gaps to open the score and exacerbate the situation for the French national team. After substitutions, Zidane's side kicked into full gear to turn the game into a final-moments thrashing.

Tactical analysis and match report by Achraf Lamdarhri.

Didier Deschamps' tenure with the French national team had come to an end after the 2026 World Cup. A period in which he led France to lift major honors, and the most important one was winning the 2018 World Cup. Zinedine Zidane had been refusing multiple coaching roles since he departed Real Madrid in 2021. His eye was always on the French dugout. Being France manager was an inevitable result for both sides, given what Zidane represents for the French nation. The first test for Zidane as a France manager is to qualify for the Nations League quarter-finals. 

After the 2026 World Cup, many federations looked for a change in the managerial positions. Belgium was no different, as they parted ways with Rudi Garcia after they were eliminated by Spain in the quarter-finals. The Dutch manager, Mark van Bommel, assumed the responsibility of taking charge of the Belgian national team. The start was promising, as Belgium came out victorious against Italy and Turkey, and they fared well against France and only lost in the final moments of the game.

Both managers changed their starting lineups. For France, Guillaume Restes took Mike Maignan's place between the posts. Leny Yoro . . .