Michael Olise came off the bench to score in the 88th minute as France beat Belgium 1-0 at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on Monday, in a Group A1 clash on matchday two of the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League.

The game looked headed for a goalless draw until the Bayern Munich winger, introduced in the 77th minute alongside Rayan Cherki, drove forward with the ball and fired a low shot from the edge of the box that beat the Belgian defence. Olise replaced Bradley Barcola, while Cherki came on for Maghnes Akliouche.

Zinedine Zidane, who is in charge of France after the World Cup, made sweeping changes from the side that started the group with a 1-0 win away to Türkiye on Friday. Only goalkeeper Mike Maignan and defender Maxence Lacroix kept their places.

Olise, Ousmane Dembele and Cherki all began on the bench. Captain Kylian Mbappe missed the game with a knee injury sustained after scoring the winner against Türkiye, and Zidane did not call up a replacement for him.

France dominated the second half and created several dangerous chances, with one effort hitting the crossbar, while Belgium, now led by Mark van Bommel after Rudi Garcia’s departure, relied mostly on counter-attacks.

Dembele had come on in the 68th minute for Esteban Lepaul. Belgium had also won their opening game, away to Italy, with Dodi Lukebakio scoring off the bench.

The result extends France’s dominance over Belgium. Les Bleus have now won each of their last six meetings, having taken the previous five, including all three Nations League encounters. Belgium’s last official win over France came in September 1981. The victory also gives Zidane’s side two wins from two in the group, which also includes Italy and Türkiye.

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