Michael Olise struck in the 88th minute to give France a 1-0 win over Belgium in a UEFA Nations League Group 1 clash at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on Monday night, sending Zinedine Zidane's side top of the standings after two matches.
How the late winner unfolded
The game had looked destined for a goalless draw until Nations League action delivered a late twist. With the clock ticking down, Olise, introduced from the bench, brought the ball down on the halfway line before driving forward into the final third, showing terrific strength to hold off a challenge from Maxim De Cuyper before cutting in on his left foot and slotting the ball past Senne Lammens.
Sofascore's data showed the move began just two minutes from the end of normal time, when France pieced together the cleanest move of the night as Lucas Da Cunha found Rayan Cherki between the lines, and Cherki slipped Michael Olise into space on the left. Olise then shaped his run, opened his body and guided a left-foot shot low to the far corner.
A tight, tactical battle
Chances had been at a premium for most of the evening. France's best openings before the winner came through Désiré Doué, who cracked a shot off the bar in the first half, while Da Cunha struck the post early in the second half. Belgium's clearest sight of goal fell to Dodi Lukebakio, whose effort was well saved.
Statistically, the visitors were dominant. Zinedine Zidane's side dominated the territorial battle, boasting 65% possession and recording 18 shots, yet they struggled to find a way past a disciplined Belgian low block for the majority of the evening. Belgium, by contrast, looked to catch France on the break but found clear-cut chances hard to come by, managing only two shots on target throughout the 90 minutes.
Zidane's rebuilding project takes shape
This was only Zidane's second match in charge of France, and he used it to blood fresh faces. The former Real Madrid coach made three changes to his squad by handing first appearances in the national team to Jeremy Jacquet, Andy Diouf and Lucas Da Cunha, with Jacquet, a Liverpool defender, starting alongside Inter full-back Diouf and Como midfielder Da Cunha.
Crucially, France continue to win without their captain. Zinedine Zidane's side have now won two matches from two without Kylian Mbappé, who is out with the left-knee injury he suffered while scoring against Türkiye. The result also extended a broader pattern of French dominance in the fixture, with Les Bleus having now won six consecutive meetings with Belgium and ended a six-match Belgian home unbeaten run in the process.
What it means for the group
The win moves France clear at the summit of their section. This result propelled France to the top of the Group 1 standings with six points from two matches, while Belgium dropped to second place with three points, having opened their campaign with victory over Italy.
Mark van Bommel's men were given a stern early test in his first home game in charge, with youngster Senne Lammens handed a significant test against the world's most dangerous attacking depth in goal. Belgium's underlying numbers reflected a night where quality chances were scarce: France recorded 18 shots compared with Belgium managing just two on target.
Next up for both sides
Attention now turns to the following round of fixtures. Next up for Belgium is Turkey on Friday, while group leaders France take on Italy, a fixture that could further shape the top of the group before the international break concludes.
For Zidane, the challenge now is to maintain momentum while continuing to integrate the newcomers who impressed in Brussels, with Mbappé's return still awaited as France look to consolidate their position at the top of Group 1.