France had to stage a late comeback to beat Belgium as Bradley Barcola suffered a frustrating night, with Jeremy Jacquet's absence providing a blow to his country and Liverpool
PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 05: Bradley Barcola of France looks dejected during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between France and Belgium at Stade de France on October 05, 2026 in Paris, France. (Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images)
Bradley Barcola looks on in frustration during France's game against Belgium(Image: Getty Images)
Bradley Barcola’s wait for a goal or assist this season goes on after France struggled without Jeremy Jacquet on Monday.
Zinedine Zidane’s side had to come from behind as it staged a late comeback to beat Belgium 4-1, with Michael Olise scoring twice after Desire Doue and Rayan Cherki responded to Dodi Lukebakio’s first-half strike, which threatened to hand the new France boss his first defeat in charge.
Barcola was restored to the hosts’ lineup, having also started against the same opponent last week, but Jacquet missed out amid fresh injury worries for Liverpool ahead of the Reds’ return to action against Manchester City on Sunday.
France made a bright start with Barcola right in the thick of the action as Liverpool’s summer signing broke into the box inside the first five minutes, only to see his pull-back from the byline evade all of those in blue.
Just minutes later, the 24-year-old had the chance to put his side in front, but saw his effort blocked by debutant goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt. From there, Barcola saw his impact neutralized as France struggled to break down its opponent before Lukebakio broke the deadlock with 10 minutes to go in the first half.
France's forward #12 Bradley Barcola fights for the ball with Belgium's goalkeeper #12 Maarten Vandevoordt during the UEFA Nations League Group A1 football match between France and Belgium at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on October 5, 2026. (Photo by Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD / AFP via Getty Images)
Bradley Barcola is denied by Maarten Vandevoordt during France's game against Belgium(Image: Getty Images)
It looked as though Zidane was heading for his first defeat in charge as Belgium held firm after the break, with chances at a premium for Barcola and his teammates.
The winger did go close just after the 70-minute mark when he saw his effort from the edge of the box deflected just wide, but that proved to be his last action of the game as he was promptly substituted for his former Paris Saint-Germain teammate Doue.
To compound Barcola’s frustration, it was Doue who would score France’s equalizer just five minutes after being introduced, and from there the hosts took firm control, with Cherki and Olise completing the turnaround and sparing Zidane his blushes.
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Without Jacquet and the suspended Dayot Upamecano though, there’s no doubt that the French didn’t look as assured at the back. They can perhaps count themselves lucky that they weren’t reduced to 10 men when Maxence Lacroix hauled down Romelu Lukaku as the former Manchester United and Chelsea striker raced clear towards goal in the second half.
Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola will now have to wait and see how serious the problem is for Jacquet, with the 21-year-old reported to have picked up a hamstring strain.
It’s the latest issue for the Reds ahead of Sunday’s return against City this weekend, with Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo having already returned home early after picking up injuries with Sweden and the Netherlands respectively.