Michael Olise scored a brilliant late winner as France defeated Belgium 1–0 in Brussels. Read the match report, statistics, and Uganda context.
Michael Olise came off the bench to score a spectacular late winner as France defeated Belgium 1–0 at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on Monday night.
The Nations League contest appeared destined to finish goalless until Olise collected possession near halfway, drove through the Belgian defence and placed his finish beyond goalkeeper Senne Lammens in the 88th minute.
Olise decides a tight contest
France travelled to Brussels without injured captain Kylian Mbappé, and Zidane made nine changes from the team that had defeated Turkiye in his opening match as national-team coach.
France increased the pressure after halftime and twice struck the woodwork. Lammens made several saves to keep Belgium level, yet the hosts also carried a threat on the counterattack.
Their clearest second-half opportunity arrived in the 74th minute. De Ketelaere released Dodi Lukébakio down the right, but Mike Maignan spread himself effectively and blocked the attempted finish. The save became more valuable when France produced the decisive moment at the other end.
Olise had entered in the 77th minute and needed little time to change the match. The ESPN report on France’s victory in Brussels described his effort as a stunning late winner, while the BBC Sport coverage of Belgium versus France recorded how the match developed before the breakthrough.
Belgium vs France match statistics
The figures show that France controlled the ball and generated more attacking pressure. According to the ESPN Belgium-France team statistics, the visitors had 65% possession and attempted 18 shots.
| Statistic | Belgium | France |
| Possession | 35% | 65% |
| Total shots | 12 | 18 |
| Shots on target | 2 | 7 |
| Shots blocked | 2 | 4 |
| Attempts inside the box | 7 | 12 |
| Corners | 2 | 6 |
| Total passes | 368 | 681 |
| Accurate passes | 306 | 629 |
| Goalkeeper saves | 5 | 2 |
| Fouls committed | 12 | 9 |
| Yellow cards | 3 | 0 |
France’s passing accuracy was approximately 92%, compared with Belgium’s 83%. The visitors also recorded 41 touches inside the Belgian penalty area, almost twice the hosts’ total of 22.
The difference in shots on target was equally important. France tested Lammens seven times, while Belgium forced Maignan into only two saves. The Sky Sports statistical breakdown of Belgium against France also recorded France’s advantage in passing, corners and successful duels.
What the result means for Group 1
France ended Matchday 2 at the top of the group with six points. Belgium and Italy had three each, while Türkiye remained without a point.
The official UEFA match page for Belgium against France confirms that the match was played at the King Baudouin Stadium. France will host Belgium in the reverse fixture on 5 October, giving the Red Devils an early opportunity to respond.
Belgium can take encouragement from competing until the closing minutes, but the statistics reveal that they spent too much of the game without possession and did not test Maignan often enough.
What it means for Ugandan supporters
The 9:45 p.m. EAT kick-off made the match accessible to many Ugandan supporters who regularly follow European international football. The late goal rewarded viewers who remained.
Olise’s impact offered a clear football lesson: squad depth and concentration remain important until the final whistle. That message is relevant at every level, including for Uganda Cranes as the national team builds towards the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil.
The game also gave Ugandan fans another opportunity to assess players they regularly watch in major European leagues. Rather than producing a high-scoring spectacle, it showed how one moment of individual quality can decide an evenly contested international.
Frequently asked questions
What was the Belgium vs France score?
France defeated Belgium 1–0 at the King Baudouin Stadium on 28 September 2026.
Who scored the winning goal?
Michael Olise scored in the 88th minute after entering as a substitute in the 77th minute.
What were the main match statistics?
France recorded 65% possession, 18 shots, seven attempts on target, and 681 passes. Belgium had 12 shots, two on target and 368 passes.
What time did the match start in Uganda?
The game kicked off at 9:45 p.m. East African Time.
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Conclusion
France deserved credit for their greater possession, higher shot count and sustained second-half pressure, but Belgium remained competitive until Olise’s intervention. Maignan’s vital save and the substitute’s brilliant run turned a possible draw into another narrow French victory.
Belgium must convert promising transitions into clearer chances when the teams meet again.
