There is something faintly absurd about a Nations League matchnight that involves France, Italy, and Northern Ireland simultaneously, and yet here we are — three fixtures kicking off at 19:45 BST on a Monday evening, each carrying its own weight and its own subplot.

Zidane in the dugout: the experiment continues

The most compelling story remains Zinedine Zidane's management of France. His appointment was always going to invite scrutiny, and the debate about whether his methods translate from club to international football has not gone away. What he did at Real Madrid was remarkable — back-to-back La Liga titles and three consecutive Champions League trophies — but pinning down precisely how he achieved those things has always been difficult. His defenders argue he built an environment in which elite talent could express itself freely. His critics wonder whether that is enough at international level, where tactical precision and defensive organisation matter as much as atmosphere and confidence.

Against Belgium on Monday, France were bright early on. Mohamed-Henrique Barcola — now a Premier League player and therefore under a particular kind of English media microscope — showed flashes of the quality that makes him so difficult to handle, even if his decision-making let him down in the opening exchanges. Khephren Thuram and the lively Akliouche were also involved, with Romain Restes in the Belgian goal forced into an early save after a shot from the latter came straight at him.

Centrally, the question of Eduardo Camavinga is worth raising. The Real Madrid midfielder was left out of the most recent major tournament squad but his athleticism and reading of the game could prove decisive as Zidane attempts to find a balance that his predecessor, Didier Deschamps, reportedly struggled to strike against the best opposition. France have extraordinary resources. The challenge is assembling them into something coherent.

Lois Openda and the Belgium question

Belgium arrived in this fixture with their own generational question marks. The golden generation has passed, and while there is genuine talent coming through, the sense that a transitional period is under way is hard to escape. Romelu Lukaku, still leading the line, showed his instincts near goal when he turned sharply on the edge of the area and forced another save from the French goalkeeper. He remains a handful at any level.

Nicolas Mechele was tasked with dealing with the aerial threat France posed from wide areas, with Dembélé's delivery causing problems throughout the early exchanges.

Italy in Bologna, Northern Ireland at home

In Bologna, Italy were hosting Turkey at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara — a ground with a striking 42-metre tower that has become something of a talking point in itself. Gianluca Scamacca led the line for the Azzurri in a fixture that carries qualification implications within the group.

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland welcomed Georgia — a side that has grown considerably in stature over recent years — in what promises to be a tight, competitive affair. For Michael O'Neill's side, home fixtures in this competition represent real opportunities to accumulate points and establish themselves within their group.

The bigger picture

Nations League evenings like this one are easy to dismiss as mid-table filler, but they serve a genuine purpose: competitive football in the gaps between major tournaments, with something tangible at stake in terms of promotion, relegation, and seeding. For Zidane specifically, each game is a further chance to build an identity — to show that the most gifted international squad in the world can also be the most organised. Whether that synthesis is possible remains the central question of his tenure.

Frequently asked

What time did France v Belgium kick off in the Nations League?
France v Belgium kicked off at 19:45 BST on Monday, 5 October 2026, alongside Italy v Turkey and Northern Ireland v Georgia.
Is Zinedine Zidane still managing France?
Yes. Zinedine Zidane took charge of the French national team following Didier Deschamps's departure and remains in the role, with this Nations League campaign a key part of his early tenure.
Where are Northern Ireland playing their Nations League home games?
Northern Ireland play their home Nations League fixtures in Belfast. Their match against Georgia on 5 October 2026 was one of those home ties.