Substitute Michael Olise scored a decisive goal in the 88th minute. His strike secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory for France over Belgium at the Koning Boudewijnstadion in Brussels. The dramatic late goal maintained Les Bleus’ perfect record in Group A1 of the UEFA Nations League. It also delivered a second consecutive win for head coach Zinedine Zidane since taking charge.
The breakthrough came late in a match dominated territorially by the visitors. France controlled 65 percent of the ball possession, registered 18 total shots, and completed 681 passes across the 90 minutes. Despite generating consistent pressure and earning six corners, Zidane’s side struggled to break down a resilient Belgian low block. Mark van Bommel expertly organized this defense as manager.
France entered the match without captain Kylian Mbappé. Mbappé returned to Real Madrid after sustaining a left knee injury during Friday’s victory against Turkey. In his absence, young winger Désiré Doué stepped up as a primary creative force. Doué rattled the crossbar in the first half with a powerful effort and consistently troubled the Belgian defense. Debutant Lucas da Cunha also struck the goalpost early in the second half.
Tactical Adjustments and Midfield Control
Zidane made nine changes to his starting lineup following the win over Turkey. He deployed a 4-3-3 formation. Eduardo Camavinga anchored the midfield with a commanding performance. He earned the match’s highest starting rating after registering four interceptions and snuffing out multiple Belgian counter-attacks.
Belgium offered a stern defensive challenge and restricted the visitors’ final-third efficiency. Kevin De Bruyne and his teammates sought to hit on the break through wingers Mika Godts and Dodi Lukébakio. However, French defender Maxence Lacroix and goalkeeper Mike Maignan successfully neutralized threats from forward Charles De Ketelaere. Belgium managed only two shots on target and recorded an expected goals (xG) metric of 0.74.
Olise and Cherki Deliver Off the Bench
The turning point arrived in the 77th minute. Zidane introduced a double substitution, sending on Michael Olise and Rayan Cherki in place of Bradley Barcola and Maghnes Akliouche. Just 11 minutes later, this tactical shift paid ultimate dividends.
Cherki collected the ball near the halfway line and fed Olise during a swift counter-attack. The Bayern Munich attacker carried the ball forward with intent, shook off a defender, and curled a precise low finish into the bottom corner past goalkeeper Senne Lammens in the 88th minute.
“The goal was not simply a late winner. It showed the specific quality Olise brings to this France side… the ability to make the final decision himself.”
The strike underscored Olise’s growing influence on the international stage. It built upon his strong early-season form in the Bundesliga, where he ranks among Europe’s most productive right-sided attackers for goals, expected goals, and key passes per 90 minutes.
Group Standings and Upcoming Fixtures
France secured the 1-0 triumph after three minutes of added time. They now sit atop Group A1 with six points from two matches. Zinedine Zidane’s squad will return to action on Friday to host Italy at the Stade de France in Paris. Meanwhile, Belgium remains on three points. They will look to bounce back when they host Turkey in Liège.
Match Summary and Statistics
- Score: Belgium 0 – 1 France
- Goalscorer: Michael Olise (88′)
- Possession: Belgium 35% – 65% France
- Total Shots: Belgium 7 – 18 France
- Shots on Target: Belgium 2 – 7 France
- Corner Kicks: Belgium 2 – 6 France
