Substitute Michael Olise scored a spectacular late goal to give France a 1-0 victory over Belgium in their UEFA Nations League Group A1 encounter on Monday, maintaining Zinedine Zidane’s perfect start as national team coach.
Olise, introduced in the 77th minute, collected the ball inside his own half and drove forward before curling a precise left-footed shot into the bottom corner beyond goalkeeper Senne Lammens in the 88th minute.
The win, France’s second successive 1-0 success under Zidane following Friday’s victory in Turkey, lifted Les Bleus to the top of the group with six points. Belgium remain on three points.
Zidane was without captain Kylian Mbappe, who is recovering from a left-knee injury sustained against Turkey. France dominated much of the contest, with Desire Doue hitting the crossbar, but struggled to convert their chances until Olise’s intervention.
The Bayern Munich winger’s individual effort proved decisive in an entertaining match at the King Baudouin Stadium. France host Italy on Friday before facing Belgium again in early October.
