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Michael Olise celebrating France's goal with teammates
Football

Michael Olise's late solo goal hands France 1-0 Nations League win over Belgium

Michael Olise came off the bench to score an 88th-minute solo winner as France beat Belgium 1-0 in Brussels.

Medianaija Editorial2 min read

The Bayern Munich winger ran from inside his own half to keep Zinedine Zidane's perfect start as France coach going.

Michael Olise came off the bench to rescue France in Brussels on Monday night, scoring an 88th-minute solo goal to beat Belgium 1-0 in the UEFA Nations League.

The London-born winger of Nigerian descent picked the ball up inside his own half and ran to the edge of the Belgian box before curling a low shot past Senne Lammens and into the bottom corner. He had only been sent on in the 77th minute, replacing Bradley Barcola, with a goalless draw looking the most likely outcome.

The winner keeps Zinedine Zidane's start as France head coach perfect: two matches, two 1-0 wins. Les Bleus sit top of Group A1 on six points, three ahead of Belgium and Italy.

"He is a pure talent and he loves to just play. You can see it. He feels the game. I am pleased to be at his side," Zidane told broadcaster TF1 after the match.

France got the result without Kylian Mbappé, who has returned to Real Madrid for treatment on the left knee he injured scoring the winner against Turkey. Zidane made nine changes to his side, keeping only goalkeeper Mike Maignan and Chelsea defender Maxence Lacroix, and handed debuts to Jérémy Jacquet of Liverpool in defence, Lucas Da Cunha of Como in midfield and Esteban Lepaul of Rennes in attack.

The visitors still created the clearer chances, with Désiré Doué rattling the bar in the first half and Da Cunha hitting a post early in the second. Belgium, under new coach Mark van Bommel, made only two changes from the side that won 2-0 in Italy on Friday.

France host Italy at the Stade de France on Friday, a homecoming for Zidane, before entertaining Belgium again on 5 October.

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