Brussels offered France another measured step into Zinedine Zidane’s new international chapter: not a night of sweeping fluency, but one settled by the elite quality available from his bench. Michael Olise’s late solo goal gave the visitors victory over Belgium and left Les Bleus alone at the summit of Nations League Group A1 after two matches.
Key takeaways
- France won their opening two Nations League fixtures and lead Group A1 on six points.
- Olise scored the decisive goal after coming on, following an assist from fellow substitute Rayan Cherki.
- Zidane changed nine players from the side that beat Turkey in his first match in charge.
- Belgium remain on three points, having begun Maxime Van Bommel’s tenure with a 2-0 win in Italy.
- Esteban Lepaul, Andy Diouf and Lucas Da Cunha made their France debuts in Brussels.
France’s altered side finds a way
With Kylian Mbappé unavailable after deciding the earlier win in Turkey, Zidane used the visit to Belgium to look deeper into his squad. Mike Maignan and Maxence Lacroix were the only survivors from the starting team used in Turkey. Ousmane Dembélé, Olise, Cherki and Jules Koundé all began among the substitutes.
France’s reshaped forward line featured Désiré Doué, Bradley Barcola and Rennes striker Lepaul. Inter midfielder Diouf and Como’s Da Cunha joined Lepaul in receiving a first senior cap. Lacroix was paired at centre-back with Jérémy Jacquet, an unfamiliar combination that nevertheless stood up well against Belgium’s attacking runners.
Van Bommel retained the Belgium XI that had opened his reign with victory over Italy. The Red Devils had started strongly in the group, while Italy later responded by winning 4-1 in Turkey, leaving both Belgium and the Azzurri on three points behind France.
Eduardo Camavinga gave France control through midfield, although Belgium carried a real threat whenever Kevin De Bruyne, given a central role of trust by his new coach, could release Diego Moreira, Mika Godts or Charles De Ketelaere. With Romelu Lukaku on the bench, however, the home side lacked a finishing presence against Lacroix and Jacquet.
Doué shines before Olise supplies the finish
Doué was France’s most dangerous player for long spells. Inside 15 minutes, he drove through the Belgian defence and struck the crossbar. Before the half-hour, Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens was required three times in one chaotic sequence: he pushed away Maghnes Akliouche’s free-kick at the post, denied Lepaul on the rebound and then watched Romeo Lavia clear Pierre Kalulu’s follow-up from the goal line.
The second half again began with Doué testing Belgium. One effort drifted narrowly off target and another was kept out by Lammens. Between those attempts, Da Cunha hit the post from distance as France pressed without finding the goal their possession deserved.
Zidane then turned to his established attacking names. Dembélé arrived first, with Cherki and Olise following later. Belgium had their own moments, notably when Dodi Lukébakio forced Maignan into two saves, but France’s replacements made the difference.
Cherki released Olise from deep in the French half, and the winger carried the ball forward on a long run. Maxime De Cuyper tried to halt him with a tug but could not stop the break. From the edge of the area, Olise drove an accurate finish beyond Lammens to settle the contest.
On the touchline, Zidane marked the breakthrough by kicking a loose ball in celebration. It was a restrained but valuable win in the Belgian capital: two matches, two victories, and early control of France’s Nations League group.
