Michael Olise struck with two minutes left, and the noise around Brussels turned abruptly from belief to disbelief. Belgium had resisted a reshaped France side for most of the evening, only for the French winger’s individual moment to settle a Nations League contest 1-0.
Olise ends Belgium’s resistance
- France arrived for the second matchday after a 1-0 win in Turkey, with Zinédine Zidane making nine alterations to his starting side.
- Jérémy Jacquet, Andy Diouf and Lucas Da Cunha were among the inexperienced players handed starts for Les Bleus.
- Belgium, under Mark van Bommel, stayed in the match and appeared set to claim a draw in Brussels despite spending long spells under pressure.
- Olise broke the deadlock in the 88th minute, producing the decisive action to give France a 1-0 victory.
The home side were widely praised for their commitment, but the verdict in Belgium was that France’s superior individual quality had eventually told. The late goal was seen as especially painful because Belgium had held firm against a team packed with changes until the closing minutes.
France’s performance also underlined the depth available to Zidane. Even with nine switches from the side that won in Turkey, the visitors controlled the game and created enough pressure to make their success appear deserved rather than fortunate.
Zidane’s selection gamble pays off
Zidane’s decision to rotate so heavily was viewed as a bold call, particularly with three players still new to the senior international set-up included from the start. Yet France’s altered line-up was described as attractive and convincing, with the available replacements still offering a formidable collection of talent.
The Belgian reaction was admiring of Zidane’s standing and the choices at his disposal. There was also a blunt conclusion for the hosts: France had been able to send out what was effectively a reserve selection, while Belgium were reminded of the distance they still need to travel.
For van Bommel, it was a first frustrating setback. Belgium were credited with producing a brave display while adapting to new working methods, but courage alone did not deliver the point they had nearly protected.
A long wait for an official win
The defeat extended Belgium’s difficult record against their neighbours in competitive fixtures. Their last official victory over France remains the result of 9 September 1981, a wait now stretching to 45 years.
Belgium did beat France 4-3 in a friendly in 2015, but that result has not changed the competitive drought. The latest loss was another disappointment in a decade that has brought little reward against Les Bleus.
There will be an immediate chance to respond. France and Belgium meet again next Monday at the Stade de France, with kick-off scheduled for 20:45. Belgium will travel to Paris seeking both revenge for Olise’s late intervention and an overdue result against a familiar opponent that continues to frustrate them.
