Zinedine Zidane’s France delivered a clinical performance to edge past Belgium 1-0 in the UEFA Nations League on Monday, extending his unbeaten record to two wins in as many games. The victory was not without drama, however—it hinged on a breathtaking late strike from Michael Olise, who burst onto the scene with a solo effort that silenced the Brussels crowd. The Bayern Munich winger, a standout at the World Cup, came off the bench in the 88th minute and transformed a deep-lying pass into a thunderous finish, curling the ball past Belgium’s goalkeeper to secure the win.
The match was a tactical battle from start to finish. France, without Kylian Mbappé due to injury, relied on a fluid, positional attack that frustrated Belgium’s defense early on. Désiré Doué’s header rebounded off the crossbar in the 12th minute, while Benjamin Da Cunha’s long-range effort struck the post, underscoring the French side’s clinical finishing struggles. Belgium’s goalkeeper, Senne Lammens, made several crucial saves, including one to deny Doué in the opening stages, but France’s midfield dominance eventually wore down the Red Devils. Zidane’s tactical flexibility was evident—he deployed a rotating attack, ensuring no player was left idle for long.
Olise’s goal was the defining moment of the game. After receiving the ball deep in his own half, he sprinted down the right flank, cut inside, and unleashed a powerful shot into the far corner. The strike was a masterclass in composure and timing, a reminder of why he was one of the breakout talents of the World Cup. Zidane’s reaction was equally telling—he sprinted onto the pitch, screaming in celebration before fiercely booting a loose ball away, a moment that encapsulated his infectious passion for the game. His post-match remarks reflected his confidence in the squad’s depth: *’I told myself I have 23 players at my disposal, and I am going to use them all eventually.’*
The win marks Zidane’s second success since taking over from Didier Deschamps, following a 1-0 victory over Turkey in his first game in charge. France’s ability to adapt without their star forward has been a recurring theme, proving that Zidane’s project is built on more than just individual brilliance. With the Nations League campaign still unfolding, this result reinforces France’s ambition to challenge for the title, while also signaling that their future lies in a collective, tactical approach rather than reliance on a single superstar.
