**France Snatch Late Winner in Belgium, Italy Thrash Turkey 4-1 Away**
In a thrilling evening of Nations League football on Monday, France secured a dramatic 1-0 victory against Belgium, while Italy bounced back from an earlier defeat to claim a resounding 4-1 win over Turkey.
The match in Brussels saw France, under the guidance of new coach Zinedine Zidane, maintain their winning momentum. A late goal from substitute Michael Olise, who netted just two minutes before the final whistle, clinched the victory for the visitors. Olise's goal came after a powerful run from midway inside the Belgian half, showcasing his skill and composure in front of goal.
Despite being without star player Kylian Mbappe, Zidane made a significant nine changes to the lineup that narrowly defeated Turkey 1-0 in their previous fixture. The introduction of players such as Ousmane Dembele, Rayan Cherki, and Olise in the second half proved pivotal as France shifted the momentum in their favor.
Lucas da Cunha, who made his debut for France, expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, stating, “We played a good game, we deserved to win, and we are all relieved by Michael’s goal.” Da Cunha emphasized the confidence Zidane instilled in him, allowing him to play freely.
Belgium, on the other hand, had their chances but were unable to convert them into goals. Defender Brandon Mechele lamented the late nature of the goal, remarking, “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.” Desire Doue was a constant threat to the French defense, striking the woodwork twice during the match.
In the second match of the evening, Italy showcased a stark contrast to their previous performance against Belgium, where they suffered a 2-0 defeat. Playing in Bursa, Italy took control early in the match, with Alessandro Bastoni scoring from a corner in the ninth minute. Just 13 minutes later, Davide Frattesi capitalized on a rebound after a shot from Michael Kayode was parried by Turkish goalkeeper Altay Bayındır.
Italy continued their dominance, with Kayode himself getting on the scoresheet in the 27th minute, putting the visitors ahead 3-0. The Italian side's first-half performance was marked by their attacking prowess, registering 10 attempts on goal before the break.
The intensity of the match persisted into the second half, with Turkey's Barıs Alper Yılmaz pulling one back for the home side shortly after the restart. However, Italy quickly restored their three-goal advantage when Pio Esposito headed in the fourth goal just five minutes later.
Italy's coach Roberto Mancini praised his team's performance, noting, “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.” The victory sets the stage for an upcoming clash against France in Paris, where both teams will look to build on their recent performances.
In other Nations League action, Bosnia secured a notable 4-2 victory over Romania in Group B4, while Sweden maintained their lead in the group with a 3-1 win over Poland. In Group B2, both fixtures ended in goalless draws, with Ukraine playing away to Georgia and Northern Ireland hosting Hungary. Additionally, Montenegro's Aleksa Latkovic scored a last-minute winner in a thrilling 3-2 victory against Armenia, placing them three points clear at the top of Group C2, while Latvia and Cyprus drew 0-0 in Riga, each earning their first point of the tournament.
As the Nations League progresses, the results from Monday's matches highlight the competitive nature of the tournament, with teams striving for supremacy in their respective groups.