Christopher Nkunku marked his return to the Nations League with a goal as France beat Israel 4-1, moving closer to the Group A2 leaders Italy on Thursday.

Nkunku's first goal for France, nearly 10 months after his last appearance for the national side, helped France to six points from three games, one point behind Italy, who were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Belgium.

The Chelsea striker scored around halfway through the first half after Omri Gandelman pulled one back from Eduardo Camavinga's early goal. Then Matteo Guendouzi and Bradley Barcola sealed the win in the closing stages.

France were without their usual captain, Kylian Mbappe, who missed Monday's double header against Israel and Belgium. However, he is fit enough to play against Real Madrid.

"It's always good to win." "The atmosphere in the team wasn't great," said coach Didier Deschamps, referring to the criticism Mbappe has received for his absence and poor performance against Italy last month.

"It's not perfect, we're in a transition period, but there are also good things. The players have quality and now need to be confirmed," the coach added four days before France travelled to Brussels.

This was France's first match since striker Antoine Griezmann announced his retirement from international football last week.

Michael Oliseh was brought in to plug the gap, but despite some promising moves and obvious technical abilities, the 22-year-old demonstrated a lack of experience.

Camavinga scored the first goal with a low, curling shot seven minutes from time, and France benefited from a good start thanks to a handball error by Omri Glazer.

However, Gandermann equalised in the 24th minute with a header from Oscar Gluck's long pass.

France were back in the lead after just four minutes, with Nkunku scoring with a low shot after evading two defenders.

Guendouzi scored the winning goal with a low shot from outside the penalty area, and Barkola added another goal with a beautiful arc in the penultimate minute.

Due to security concerns related to the Gaza conflict, Israel has been playing its home games in Hungary.

Next up for France is a match against Belgium, who are currently placed second with six points. Belgium is currently in third place with four points, behind the other teams. Whoever wins the next game will be in the running for second place in the group. Israel, which has lost all three games, has no appetite for another defeat. They'll be up against Italy, the group leaders. Italy hasn't lost a game yet.