Brussels provided a late flash of quality and an even rarer sight on the French touchline: Zinédine Zidane abandoning his usual reserve. Michael Olise’s 87th-minute winner gave France a 1-0 Nations League victory over Belgium, and the coach celebrated by sprinting awkwardly towards the edge of the pitch and launching a spare ball away with his boot.
Olise supplies the decisive moment in Brussels
France had made nine changes to their starting side, but their established attacking talent settled a tight contest near the end. Rayan Cherki found Olise, who began the move deep in his own half before turning the match in France’s favour.
- Cherki delivered the pass that released Olise.
- Olise brought the ball under control with his shoulder as he moved forward.
- He left Belgium defender Maxim De Cuyper off balance before finishing low into the corner.
- The goal arrived in the 42nd minute of the second half and proved enough for a 1-0 French win.
The finish was a standout individual effort, made more striking by the distance covered before Olise reached the Belgian area.
Zidane’s restrained image gives way
Known during his playing career for both elegance and a discreet manner, Zidane reacted without either once Olise’s shot crossed the line. Watching from the technical area, he ran in an ungainly burst of excitement and struck one of the balls placed beside the field.
It was an uninhibited response to a result that maintained a perfect opening record for his France side.
France take early control of Group A1
The victory leaves France on six points at the top of Nations League Group A1 after two matches.
- France opened their campaign with a 1-0 away win over Turkey.
- They followed it with another 1-0 success, this time against Belgium in Brussels.
- Zidane’s team therefore have two wins from two and have yet to concede in the competition.
