Belgium 0–1 France
Michael Olise produced a spectacular solo goal in the 88th minute to give France a dramatic 1–0 victory over Belgium in their UEFA Nations League clash in Brussels.
The match appeared destined to finish goalless until Olise collected the ball inside his own half, powered past the Belgian defence and calmly found the far corner. His brilliant individual effort secured all three points for Les Bleus and maintained Zinedine Zidane’s perfect start as France national team coach.
France have now won both of their opening Nations League matches under Zidane without conceding a goal. The victory also moved them to the top of League A Group 1 with six points.
Michael Olise Delivers a Moment of Magic
Olise began the match on the bench as Zidane made nine changes to the team that defeated Turkey 1–0 in his opening game. With the score still level, the Bayern Munich attacker replaced Bradley Barcola in the 77th minute.
His decisive moment arrived just 11 minutes later.
Rayan Cherki moved the ball forward quickly before Olise controlled it near the halfway line and accelerated into Belgium’s half. He held off Maxim De Cuyper, changed direction to deceive the remaining defenders and guided a composed finish beyond goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
The remarkable run and finish provided the quality needed to separate two competitive teams. It also demonstrated why Olise is becoming one of France’s most important attacking options.
France Dominate the Match Statistics
France controlled the majority of possession and created considerably more opportunities than the hosts.
According to the match statistics, Les Bleus recorded:
- 63% possession
- 16 shots
- Nine shots on target
- 663 completed passes
- 94% passing accuracy
- Six corners
Belgium managed 10 attempts but tested Mike Maignan only twice. The hosts had 37% possession, completed 355 passes and earned two corners.
France’s dominance nearly produced an early goal when Désiré Doué struck the crossbar. Pierre Kalulu also went close, but his effort was prevented from crossing the line as Belgium survived the visitors’ promising opening spell.
Although France continued to control the ball, Lammens made several important saves to keep Belgium in the contest. The Belgian defence remained disciplined until Olise’s late burst finally broke its resistance.
Belgium Struggle to Turn Attacks Into Goals
Belgium threatened through Mika Godts and Dodi Lukebakio, while Kevin De Bruyne attempted to influence the game from an advanced midfield position. However, the Red Devils lacked a clinical final touch.
Charles De Ketelaere led the attack but found few clear opportunities against an inexperienced yet organised French defence. Belgium’s best moments generally came through transitions and set-piece situations rather than sustained possession.
A late penalty appeal was also dismissed after the ball struck Manu Koné inside the French penalty area. The referee allowed play to continue, leaving Belgium without enough time to respond to Olise’s winner.
Zinedine Zidane Maintains His Perfect France Record
Zidane could hardly have asked for a better start to his international coaching career. France opened his tenure with a 1–0 victory over Turkey before recording the same result against Belgium.
Two matches, two victories and two clean sheets represent an encouraging beginning for the former Real Madrid manager.
The performance in Brussels was particularly impressive because Zidane rotated his squad heavily and introduced several less-experienced players. France still controlled the match and demonstrated the strength of their squad, even with Kylian Mbappé unavailable because of a knee injury.
There will still be areas to improve. France created enough chances to make the result more comfortable and had to wait until the closing minutes for the breakthrough. Nevertheless, their defensive organisation, accurate passing and strength from the bench offer Zidane a promising foundation.
What Is Next for France and Belgium?
France’s next Nations League assignment will be against Italy in Paris. Zidane’s team will aim to extend its winning run and strengthen its position at the top of Group A1.
Belgium will attempt to recover when they face Turkey in Liège. Despite losing to France, the Red Devils remain in contention with three points from their opening two matches.
Other Nations League Results
Elsewhere, Viktor Gyökeres continued his impressive international form by scoring as Sweden defeated Poland 3–1. The striker has now registered two goals in his opening two matches of the campaign.
Bosnia and Herzegovina also produced an impressive attacking display, scoring four goals in a 4–2 victory over Romania.
Bet on International Football With Bangbet
The UEFA Nations League continues to provide exciting fixtures, late drama and major betting opportunities. Football fans can visit Bangbet to explore available markets covering match results, total goals, correct scores, player performances and other selections.
Always review the latest odds, team news and market conditions before placing a bet. Bet responsibly, manage your bankroll carefully and never stake more than you can afford to lose. Betting is strictly for adults aged 18 and above.
Final Score: Belgium 0–1 France
Goalscorer: Michael Olise (88’)
