France claimed a 1-0 victory over Belgium in the UEFA Nations League on Monday, with Michael Olise scoring a late winner in the 88th minute. The result, secured at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, marks Zinedine Zidane’s second consecutive win as France coach, following a 1-0 win against Turkey last Friday. France now lead Group A1 with six points, three ahead of Belgium and Italy, who defeated Turkey 4-1 on the same day.

Olise, a Bayern Munich star, came off the bench in the 77th minute, replacing Liverpool winger Bradley Barcola. The London-born player, who was among the standout performers at the 2022 World Cup, collected possession inside his own half and advanced all the way to the edge of the Belgian box before curling a shot beyond Senne Lammens into the bottom-left corner. The goal came after France had the better of the chances, with Paris Saint-Germain’s Desire Doue hitting the bar in the first half and Da Cunha striking the post in the second.

France’s lineup showed nine changes, with goalkeeper Mike Maignan and defender Maxence Lacroix the only players to retain their places. Midfielder Lucas Da Cunha of Como and attacker Esteban Lepaul of Rennes, the top scorer in Ligue 1 last season, made their debuts. Belgium, in contrast, made only two changes to the team that started their 2-0 win in Italy on Friday.

Zidane was without captain Kylian Mbappé, who returned to Real Madrid for treatment after injuring his left knee while scoring against Turkey. France will next face Italy at the Stade de France on October 5, marking Zidane’s homecoming. The result leaves France top of the group, with Italy and Belgium trailing by three points.

Belgium’s new coach, Mark van Bommel, faced his home debut against France, but the team struggled to contain France’s attacking threats. The match was expected to be a tight contest, and the late goal by Olise ensured France’s dominance in the group.

The outcome of the match has implications for the Nations League standings, with France now leading Group A1. The next matches for France will be against Italy and Belgium, both of which are strong teams. The result also highlights the impact of Zidane’s coaching on the French squad, with the team showing resilience and tactical discipline. However, the exact impact of the late goal on the team’s overall strategy remains unclear.

What remains unknown is the full impact of the late goal on France’s overall strategy and how Belgium’s new coaching setup will adapt to future challenges. The absence of Mbappé and the tactical adjustments made by Zidane will also be key factors in the upcoming matches. The Nations League continues to be a crucial competition for national teams, with the results shaping the group standings and influencing future international fixtures.