France put four past Israel in dominant Nations League victory

France continued their resurgence in Nations League Group A2 with a 4-1 win over Israel in Budapest.

Les Bleus, who had lost their opening match to Italy before beating Belgium, were gifted an early lead after Israel keeper Omri Glazer spilled Eduardo Camavinga’s 20-yard strike.

Israel equalised through a header from Omri Gandelman, but France were soon back in front again when Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku scored his first senior international goal, with late strikes from substitutes Matteo Guendouzi and Bradley Barcola securing another three points.

France had taken a somewhat fortunate lead in the seventh minute.

The ball was worked out to Camavinga at the left side of the penalty area and his sweeping, 20-yard effort looked to have been saved by Glazer diving down to his right.

However, the Red Star Belgrade keeper fumbled the ball on to the ground and squirmed as it bounced back over him into the net.

France – missing star man Kylian Mbappe as he continues to recover full fitness following injury – threatened again when Ousmane Dembele drove into the left side of the penalty area, but stabbed his shot wide.

Israel, who were promoted from League B but lost both their opening games against Belgium and Italy, were on level terms in the 24th minute.

Oscar Gloukh picked up the ball on the left and floated an angled cross into the France penalty area for Gandelman to guide his header past Mike Maignan into the far corner off the post.

The goal was allowed to stand following a VAR review for possible offside against the Gent midfielder, who had managed to just hold his run between the French defenders.

Les Bleus, though, were back in front just four minutes later.

Nkunku turned Israel defender Ilay Feingold to power into the left side of the penalty area before slotting past Glazer at the near post.

It was a low key start to the second half at the Bozsik Arena, which was hosting the fixture because of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

France did finally manage another effort on target just after the hour, when Dembele’s shot from the edge of the box was comfortably saved by Glazer.

With three minutes left, France settled any late nerves when Guendouzi finished off a swift break down the left.

The Lazio midfielder then played in fellow substitute Barcola on the overlap to lash home a fourth.

France next play Belgium away on Monday, while Israel, who remain bottom and look set for a swift relegation, travel to Italy.