"""

Olise settled the match late

France defeated Belgium 1-0 in Brussels in the UEFA Nations League A1 Group, with Michael Olise scoring in the 88th minute to make it two wins from two under Zinedine Zidane. The French side now leads the group with six points.

The match remained scoreless for most of the evening, but France were the more dangerous team. Paris Saint-Germain forward Desire Doue hit the crossbar in the first half, while Lucas Da Cunha also struck the woodwork early in the second half.

From the bench to change the game

Introduced in the 77th minute for Bradley Barcola, Michael Olise came on just as the game looked destined to finish goalless. The Bayern Munich player drove forward from his own half, carried the ball to the edge of Belgium's penalty area and beat Senne Lammens with a low left-footed finish into the bottom-left corner.

Two wins from two under Zidane

Zinedine Zidane, who took over from Didier Deschamps after the World Cup, has won his first two matches in charge without dropping a point. France had already beaten Turkey 1-0 away on Friday.

  • France lead A1 Group with 6 points.
  • Belgium and Italy have 3 points each.
  • Italy beat Turkey 4-1 on Monday to move onto 3 points.

France's next match is against Italy on Friday at Stade de France. The French side will then host Belgium again on October 5.

Rotation and absences shaped the lineups

France were without captain Kylian Mbappe. The Real Madrid striker returned to his club for treatment after suffering a left knee injury in the move that led to the winning goal against Turkey.

Zidane made nine changes to the starting XI in Brussels, with goalkeeper Mike Maignan and defender Maxence Lacroix the only players to keep their places. Lucas Da Cunha, who plays for Como, started in midfield, while Rennes striker Esteban Lepaul, last season's top scorer in France's Ligue 1, was handed his first appearance in attack. Belgium boss Mark van Bommel made just two changes to the side that had beaten Italy 2-0.

"""