France snatched a late 1-0 win over Belgium on Monday as Michael Olise scored two minutes from time, while Italy returned to winning ways with a 4-1 victory away to Turkey in the Nations League.

Olise seals late France win

Fortunes ebbed and flowed in Brussels before Olise settled the Group A1 contest.

The winger made a surging run from midway inside the Belgian half before producing a superb finish.

The victory extended France coach Zinedine Zidane’s winning start in his new job. France were without captain Kylian Mbappe for the game.

Zidane made nine changes to the team that edged Turkey 1-0 last week. However, France grew stronger after he introduced Ousmane Dembele, Rayan Cherki and Olise.

Desire Doue was a constant threat to the Belgian defence. He twice struck the woodwork, while Belgium also created chances through Mika Godts.

“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 deserved more after conceding so late.

“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,” said Mechele.

Italy bounce back in style

In Bursa, Italy produced a dominant display in the rain to bounce back from their 2-0 home defeat to Belgium.

Alessandro Bastoni opened the scoring in the ninth minute from a corner.

Davide Frattesi then doubled Italy’s lead 13 minutes later. He reacted quickly after goalkeeper Altay Bayındır parried Michael Kayode’s shot.

Kayode made it 3-0 in the 27th minute with a low effort. Italy ended the first half with 10 attempts.

Turkey pulled one back through Barıs Alper Yılmaz after the break. However, Pio Esposito restored Italy’s three-goal advantage 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 Italy coach Roberto Mancini.

Elsewhere, Bosnia defeated Romania 4-2 away in Group B4, while Sweden beat Poland 3-1 in Stockholm.

Ukraine and Georgia played out a goalless draw. Northern Ireland and Hungary also finished 0-0 in Group B2.

Montenegro beat Armenia 3-2 through Aleksa Latkovic’s last-minute winner. Latvia and Cyprus drew 0-0 in Riga.

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