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Michael Olise came off the bench to produce a moment of individual brilliance that settled a tense UEFA Nations League encounter in Brussels on Monday, giving France a 1-0 victory over Belgium and extending Zinedine Zidane's flawless beginning as the national team's head coach. The Bayern Munich winger, introduced in the 77th minute, collected the ball deep inside his own half before embarking on a solo run that ended with a precise curled finish into the bottom-left corner in the 88th minute.
The result at the King Baudouin Stadium means France have now won both of their opening fixtures under Zidane, who took charge following Didier Deschamps' departure after the World Cup. Les Bleus had previously secured a 1-0 away win against Turkiye last Friday, and Monday's triumph in Brussels leaves them atop Nations League Group A1 with six points, three clear of both Belgium and Italy.
Zidane's first competitive outing in charge came with significant selection challenges. Captain Kylian Mbappe, who had scored the winner against Turkiye, was absent after returning to Real Madrid for treatment on a left knee injury. That setback forced the French coach to reshuffle his attacking options and handed opportunities to several fringe players eager to make an impression.
The French lineup showed nine changes from the side that started in Turkiye, with only goalkeeper Mike Maignan and Chelsea defender Maxence Lacroix retaining their places. Such wholesale rotation might have unsettled a less seasoned squad, but France's depth was evident as newcomers slotted into the setup without disrupting the team's shape or defensive discipline.
Among those handed starting roles were Lucas Da Cunha of Como, who made his senior debut in midfield, and Esteban Lepaul of Rennes, who earned his first cap in attack. Lepaul arrived with a strong pedigree, having finished as Ligue 1's top scorer last season, and his inclusion underlined Zidane's willingness to assess his options during a congested international schedule.
Belgium, by contrast, opted for continuity. New coach Mark van Bommel, taking charge of his first home match, made just two changes to the team that had impressed in a 2-0 victory in Italy last Friday. That result had raised expectations among Belgian supporters, who were eager to see whether their side could build on that performance in front of a home crowd.
Despite the unfamiliar look of France's starting eleven, the visitors created the clearer opportunities. Paris Saint-Germain's Desire Doue rattled the crossbar with a powerful first-half effort, while Da Cunha came agonisingly close early in the second period when his strike bounced off the post. Those near-misses suggested France were the more dangerous side even before Olise's intervention.
Belgium struggled to convert their periods of possession into genuine scoring chances, and as the match wore on, the contest appeared destined for a goalless draw. Both coaches had already begun planning for the closing stages, but the game lacked the cutting edge that either side needed to break the deadlock until the decisive moment arrived.
Olise's introduction in place of Liverpool winger Bradley Barcola proved to be the turning point. The London-born attacker, who was among the standout performers at the World Cup where France reached the semifinals, brought fresh energy and directness to an attack that had threatened without delivering a final product. His willingness to run at defenders immediately stretched Belgium's tiring backline.
The winning goal showcased Olise's exceptional technical ability and composure. Picking up possession inside his own half, he drove forward past several Belgian players before reaching the edge of the penalty area. With goalkeeper Senne Lammens anticipating a cross or a pass, Olise instead curled a measured shot beyond the goalkeeper's reach and into the far corner, silencing the home support.
Zidane's perfect record after two matches will be tested further when France host Italy at the Stade de France on Friday, a fixture that represents a homecoming for the coach. France will then welcome Belgium to Paris the following Monday, giving them an opportunity to strengthen their grip on the group and potentially secure early qualification for the Nations League knockout stages.
For Belgium, the defeat represents a frustrating setback in Van Bommel's early tenure. Having opened with an impressive win in Italy, they would have hoped to capitalise on home advantage and France's absentees. Instead, they remain level on three points with Italy, who recorded a convincing 4-1 win in Turkiye on the same evening, leaving the group finely balanced.
The match also underlined the depth available to Zidane as he looks to build a team capable of challenging for major honours. The ability to rest key players, hand debuts to emerging talents and still secure victory away against a strong European opponent speaks to the considerable resources at France's disposal. That depth could prove crucial as the campaign progresses and fixture congestion takes its toll.
Olise's late intervention ensures France travel home with maximum points and momentum, while questions persist for Belgium about their ability to turn possession into goals against elite opposition. With both sides set for a rematch in Paris next week, the tactical adjustments made by Van Bommel and the selection decisions taken by Zidane will be scrutinised closely as the group reaches a pivotal stage.
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