Nations League Monday Roundup: France Thrash Belgium as Italy, Hungary and Sweden Claim Wins
France scored four times in the last 13 minutes to beat Belgium 4-1 in Paris, and Italy moved up to second in League A Group 1 with a win over Turkey.
At the Stade de France, France looked in trouble when Dodi Lukébakio put Belgium ahead in the 35th minute. He ran onto a brilliant long pass from Romeo Lavia and beat debutant keeper Guillaume Restes. Belgium led at the break, but the hosts kept pushing. Désiré Doué levelled in the 77th minute with a low shot from outside the box, and Rayan Cherki put them ahead four minutes later after a cutback from fellow substitute Michael Olise. Olise then got in on the act himself, scoring in the 88th minute and again in stoppage time, both set up by Doué.
It was a big night for Olise. He came off the bench and had a hand in three of the four goals, and he has now been involved in 17 goals in 16 games for France this year. Zinedine Zidane stays unbeaten as boss. France lead the group on 10 points from four games, while Belgium are third on six.
Italy took second place with a 3-1 win over Turkey. Gianluca Scamacca put the hosts ahead in the 26th minute, but Aral Şimşir levelled in the 61st. Riccardo Calafiori headed Italy back in front three minutes later from a Nicolò Barella delivery, and Pio Esposito made the points safe in the 87th minute.
In League B Group 2, Hungary came from behind late to beat Ukraine 2-1. Márk Tóth gave them the lead in the 52nd minute, Ruslan Yaremchuk equalised for Ukraine in the 83rd, but Máté Csinger scored the winner just two minutes later.
Northern Ireland and Georgia drew 0-0 at Windsor Park, in front of 18,140 fans. Northern Ireland are still the only team yet to concede in this season's competition, and they stay top of the group, one point ahead of Hungary. They had the best chance to win it in the 84th minute, when they were given a penalty after Budu Zivzivadze kicked Ruairi McConville in the head. Isaac Price took it, but Giorgi Mamardashvili dived the right way and saved it. McConville had also hit the crossbar with a header from the resulting corner earlier on. Manager Michael O'Neill's young side finished the four-game window unbeaten. Georgia are still looking for their first goal in the competition.
In League B Group 4, Bosnia-Herzegovina beat Poland 1-0, with Ivan Bašić scoring from the penalty spot in the 84th minute. Sweden also won 1-0 away to Romania, thanks to an early goal from Viktor Gyökeres in the 13th minute.
In League C Group 2, Cyprus beat Latvia 2-1 in Nicosia. Edvinas Dašķevičs gave Latvia the lead in the 57th minute, but Ioannis Kosti levelled in the 70th. Marinos Edwards then won it in the fourth minute of stoppage time, set up by Nicholas Tsaroulla.
Montenegro and Armenia drew 0-0, with Montenegro's Stefan Lončar sent off in the 86th minute.


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