France 1-0 Belgium: How Michael Olise Won It Late

Michael Olise delivered a brilliant individual moment late in Brussels to give France a 1-0 victory over Belgium on September 28. In a tightly contested UEFA Nations League fixture, substitute Olise broke a near-full-match deadlock in the 89th minute.

The victory keeps new manager Zinedine Zidane perfect at the helm of Les Bleus while propelling France to the top of their group.

What was the final score of France vs Belgium?

France defeated Belgium 1-0 at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels.

The match remained goalless for nearly 90 minutes as Belgium’s defensive setup repeatedly frustrated France's attacks. However, a late solo strike ensured France claimed all three points away from home. The result marks back-to-back 1-0 victories for France in international play.

Who scored the goal in France vs Belgium?

Michael Olise scored the only goal of the match in the 89th minute.

Coming off the bench as a late substitute in the 77th minute, the Bayern Munich winger gathered the ball inside his own half. He drove past three Belgian defenders toward the edge of the penalty box before curling a precise shot past goalkeeper Senne Lammens into the far bottom corner.

Why does this result matter for France?

This result keeps head coach Zinedine Zidane completely unbeaten through his first two competitive matches in charge of the national team.

By winning his opening two fixtures, Zidane became just the fourth head coach in the history of the French national team to achieve the feat. He joins an exclusive list alongside Henri Guérin (1964), Henri Michel (1984), and Aimé Jacquet (1994). The victory also reinforces France’s ability to unlock organized defensive opponents late in away games.

What group is France playing in?

France is competing in Group One of UEFA Nations League A alongside Turkey, Belgium, and Italy.

Having already earned a 1-0 away victory against Turkey on September 25, France now sits atop Group One with six points from two matches. Their next Nations League fixture is a home clash against Italy on October 2.

How has Olise performed for France recently?

Olise has rapidly established himself as a clutch contributor for the national squad.

After featuring prominently in major international tournaments earlier in the summer, he has seamlessly translated his elite form with Bayern Munich into crucial national team appearances. His 89th-minute strike against Belgium highlights his growing role as a game-changer off the bench under Zidane.

Why did it take so long for France to break through?

France struggled to score early because Belgium set up in a compact, low defensive block for most of the contest.

Belgium allowed France to hold significant possession while denying central space near the penalty box. France generated key chances—including a shot off the crossbar by Désiré Doué in the first half and a strike off the post by Lucas Da Cunha early in the second—before Olise's individual quality finally unlocked the Belgian setup.

What did this win say about France's mentality under a new coach?

The win showcased tactical patience and mental composure under Zidane’s leadership.

Rather than growing frustrated by Belgium’s defensive stance, France maintained control of the tempo and relied on squad depth to make the difference late. Zidane’s decisive substitutions paid off, proving that the squad possesses the tactical flexibility to grind out close away fixtures.

How does this win compare to France's recent history against Belgium?

This 1-0 victory adds another chapter to a highly competitive modern rivalry between the neighboring nations.

The tight scoreline mirrored previous high-stakes encounters, most notably France's iconic 1-0 victory over Belgium in the 2018 World Cup semifinals en route to lifting the trophy. Adding intrigue to the fixture, reports previously suggested Belgium's federation had explored interest in Zidane before he ultimately accepted the France head coaching position.

What should fans expect from France's attack going forward?

Fans can expect a dynamic, adaptable attack that leverages immense depth across the forward line.

Zidane has shown a willingness to rotate his frontline starters while utilizing explosive wingers like Olise and Ousmane Dembélé to change the flow of matches in the second half. As the squad continues to adapt to Zidane’s principles, France’s attacking options remain among the most dangerous in international football.