The metamorphosis of the Blues illuminates Courtois' ghost after the Devils' fall

On Monday evening, at the Stade de France in Paris, the Blues overturned a Belgian lead that had held until the 77th minute, handing Belgium its seventh consecutive defeat and reviving the specter of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Praise from the French press

BRUNO FAHY highlights the “spectacular comeback” of the Blues and criticizes the Red Devils, reminding that the ghost of Courtois “haunts” the minds. L'Équipe acknowledges that Zinedine Zidane’s France side was well on its way to bowing, but that it was “totally transformed, electrified” by the coach’s guidance.

The newspaper adds that “the cavalry’s entry woke up the French team”, citing the decisive substitutions of Lucas Da Cunha, Rayan Cherki, Michael Olise and Désiré Doué, who provided the missing madness for the Blues.

Criticisms of Belgium

French media spare no mercy for the Red Devils or their coach Mark van Bommel, despite a record of six points from twelve. L'Équipe notes that Belgium, now third in its Nations League group, has suffered too much in the final phases of its matches.

France rolls on with surprising lineup against the Red Devils

Goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt, starting for the first time, sees his debut turn into a fiasco, while Senne Lammens, flawless in the first three matches, cannot find a number 3 of this level. The text reminds that “the ghost of Thibaut Courtois, undisputed number 1, haunts”.

Eurosport and Ouest‑France highlight the transformation of the French game, describing a second France side as “exciting and magical” and a “spectacular comeback concluded beautifully by a Michael Olise in heaven”.

An emotional scene at the Stade de France between Zidane and Jacquet

Finally, the site invites readers to add the page to their Google favorites, noting that the Blues’ victory is being savored by the French press this Monday, while the Red Devils are being scratched.