Credited from: ALJAZEERA
Michael Olise's stunning strike in the 88th minute propelled France to a 1-0 victory over Belgium during their UEFA Nations League clash on September 28. This win marked Zinedine Zidane's second consecutive triumph since taking over as head coach, having also won the previous match against Turkey. Olise, who showcased his talent during the World Cup, scored after a powerful run from his own half, thrilling the French side and the few supporters present in Brussels, according to Al Jazeera, Le Monde, and Reuters.
This match saw France fielding a significantly altered lineup, making nine changes from the previous match against Turkey, where only goalkeeper Mike Maignan and defender Maxence Lacroix retained their starting positions. Notably absent was captain Kylian Mbappé, who is receiving treatment for a knee injury. Zidane commented on the need for rest due to the rigorous travel schedule but praised his team's ability to hold their ground against a strong Belgian side, emphasizing their performance across all departments, according to Le Monde and Reuters.
France's attacking efforts were primarily led by Paris Saint-Germain's Désiré Doué, who struck the woodwork twice. The match was poised to end in a goalless draw until Olise's late intervention, which followed his substitution in the 77th minute. The win places France at the top of Nations League Group A1 with six points, three ahead of Belgium and Italy, who convincingly defeated Turkey 4-1 on the same day, setting up an exciting matchup for France's upcoming match against Italy, according to Al Jazeera, Le Monde, and Reuters.