On a Belgian night where France found the decisive touch, Estéban Lepaul marked his first start for Les Bleus with a 1-0 victory, even if chances to influence the attack were limited.
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The forward was handed his first place in France’s starting line-up for the win in Belgium and said the result mattered more than the lack of service he received during the match.
Michael Olise scored the only goal as France won 1-0. Lepaul praised a controlled opening half from the visitors, while noting that the team adjusted elements of its pressing during the interval.
“We played well and our first half was good, coherent overall,” Lepaul said after the final whistle. “We corrected a few details in the press at half-time. It was a very interesting game and we hit the woodwork two or three times as well.”
France were unable to add to Olise’s strike despite those efforts, but Lepaul highlighted the reaction within the squad when the goal arrived.
“Everyone celebrated Michael Olise’s goal,” he said. “That is the strength of the group: everybody supports everybody else. That is how we will move forward.”
For Lepaul, the occasion also brought the challenge of developing combinations with teammates he does not usually play alongside during the club season.
“I felt good,” he added. “There are some reference points to find, and you also learn to play with people you do not see during the year. But the main thing was winning tonight.”
