Hendra Wijaya
Michael Olise produced a moment of individual brilliance deep into the second half to hand France a 1-0 victory over Belgium in their UEFA Nations League Group A1 clash at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on Monday night, extending Zinedine Zidane's perfect start as national team coach to two matches.
The Bayern Munich winger, introduced as a 77th-minute substitute for Liverpool's Bradley Barcola, collected the ball inside his own half before embarking on a surging run that carried him to the edge of the Belgian penalty area. From there, the London-born attacker curled a precise effort beyond goalkeeper Senne Lammens into the bottom-left corner, sparking celebrations among the French bench and silencing the home crowd with just two minutes of normal time remaining.
The goal arrived at a point when the contest appeared destined to end in a forgettable stalemate. France had enjoyed the better of the opportunities throughout, with Paris Saint-Germain's Desire Doue rattling the crossbar in the opening period and debutant Lucas Da Cunha striking the post shortly after the interval. Yet neither side had managed to find a breakthrough until Olise's intervention changed the complexion of the evening entirely.
Olise's impact off the bench underlined the depth of attacking talent at Zidane's disposal. The Bayern star was widely regarded as one of the standout performers at the recent World Cup, where France reached the semifinal stage before their eventual exit. His ability to influence matches in limited minutes has become a valuable asset, and his willingness to drive from deep positions with the ball at his feet poses a persistent threat to opposing defences.
The result leaves France sitting comfortably at the summit of Group A1 with six points from their opening two fixtures, three clear of both Belgium and Italy. The Azzurri secured a convincing 4-1 triumph away to Turkiye on the same evening, ensuring that the group remains delicately poised heading into the next round of matches.
Zidane's tenure began with a narrow 1-0 success away to Turkiye last Friday, a match that also saw captain Kylian Mbappe score the winner before departing with a knee problem. The Real Madrid forward has since returned to his club for treatment on his left knee, ruling him out of the trip to Brussels and raising questions about his availability for the upcoming fixtures.
In Mbappe's absence, Zidane opted for wholesale changes to his starting lineup, making nine alterations from the side that triumphed in Turkiye. Only goalkeeper Mike Maignan and Chelsea defender Maxence Lacroix retained their places, with the experimental nature of the selection reflecting both the congested fixture calendar and the coach's desire to assess the full breadth of his squad.
Among those handed opportunities were two debutants making their first appearances in senior international colours. Lucas Da Cunha, who plies his trade with Como in Italy's Serie A, was deployed in midfield, while Esteban Lepaul of Rennes led the attack. Lepaul arrives with a growing reputation after finishing as the top scorer in Ligue 1 last season, and his inclusion signals Zidane's willingness to reward domestic form.
Belgium, by contrast, adopted a more conservative approach. New coach Mark van Bommel made just two changes to the team that had started Friday's impressive 2-0 victory away in Italy, a result that had raised expectations ahead of his first home match in charge. The Red Devils were seeking to build on that momentum but ultimately found themselves undone by a moment of quality from a player who had been on the pitch for barely more than ten minutes.
The hosts had their moments, particularly in the opening exchanges, but struggled to create clear-cut chances against a French defence that, despite its unfamiliar composition, remained disciplined and well-organised. Van Bommel will take encouragement from the overall performance but will rue his side's inability to capitalise on the absence of several key French players, most notably Mbappe.
France's attention now turns to a mouthwatering encounter with Italy at the Stade de France on Friday, a fixture that will mark Zidane's first home match since taking the reins. The 1998 World Cup winner and former Real Madrid coach succeeded Didier Deschamps following the conclusion of the global tournament, and the prospect of leading Les Bleus out in Paris represents a significant personal milestone.
The visit of Italy carries added significance given the history between the two nations, with their 2006 World Cup final meeting remaining one of the most memorable encounters in the sport's recent past. Italy's commanding victory in Turkiye demonstrated that they will arrive in Paris with confidence, and the match could prove pivotal in determining which side emerges as the group's dominant force.
France will then round off the international window by entertaining Belgium next Monday, offering Van Bommel's men an immediate opportunity for redemption. The quick turnaround between fixtures means both sides will need to manage their squads carefully, balancing the demands of competitive football with the need to keep players fresh for their club commitments.
For Zidane, the early signs are encouraging. Two victories from two matches, a solid defensive record, and a squad demonstrating its depth provide a platform on which to build. Yet the French coach will be acutely aware that sterner tests lie ahead, and the absence of Mbappe for an extended period would represent a significant blow to his plans.
Olise's dramatic winner in Brussels, however, served as a timely reminder that France possess attacking options capable of deciding matches even without their talismanic captain. The 24-year-old's willingness to take responsibility in a tight contest, coupled with his technical quality and direct running, offers Zidane a potent alternative as he seeks to establish his preferred attacking configuration.
Belgium, meanwhile, must regroup quickly. Defeat on home soil, particularly in such late and frustrating circumstances, will sting, but the broader performance offered glimpses of promise under Van Bommel's stewardship. The Dutchman's task now is to lift his players for the return fixture in Paris, where they will attempt to avenge this narrow defeat and reignite their campaign.
The Nations League continues to provide meaningful competitive football for Europe's leading nations, and Group A1 is shaping up to be one of the more compelling sections. With France, Italy, and Belgium all harbouring ambitions of progressing to the latter stages, every point carries weight, and the margins between success and failure remain razor-thin.
As the dust settles on an absorbing evening in the Belgian capital, the narrative of Zidane's France continues to develop. Two wins from two, a late goal from a substitute, and a clean sheet on the road represent a solid foundation. The forthcoming fixtures against Italy and Belgium will offer a clearer indication of whether this French side can develop into genuine contenders for major honours.
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