Olise late show keeps France perfect
Michael Olise came off the bench to snatch France a late 1-0 victory over Belgium in the Nations League to continue its perfect start under Zinedine Zidane.
It looked like Zinedine Zidane's side was set to be frustrated in the injured Kylian Mbappe's absence, but Olise took just 11 minutes after his introduction to score the winner at Stade Roi Baudouin.
France started brightly, and Desire Doue almost scored a stunning opener just 12 minutes in; he twisted away from his marker and slalomed into the box before firing his shot against the crossbar.
Doue almost turned provider shortly after as he whipped a delightful cross in from the right, and though Esteban Lepaul quickly adjusted his feet, his first-time effort was straight at Senne Lammens.
Maghnes Akliouche's free-kick was then spilled by Lammens, who jumped straight back up to smother Lepaul's follow-up. But Romeo Lavia was then needed on the line to deny Pierre Kalulu.
Doue continued to provide the sparkle for France and bent a whipped effort narrowly wide seven minutes after the break.
Two minutes later, Lucas da Cunha came close to a debut goal with his fizzed effort through the crowded box, but it struck the foot of the right post.
Belgium grew into the game the longer it went on, with substitute Dodi Lukebakio surging forward in the 73rd minute to poke a shot on goal, which Mike Maignan smothered.
Lukebakio stung Maignan's palms shortly after with a powerful low effort, and though the goalkeeper failed to hold it on the first attempt, no Belgian player was following in.
France's quality eventually told, however, as Olise latched onto fellow substitute Rayan Cherki's pass and strode forward from the halfway line before curling a lovely finish into the bottom right corner in the 88th minute.
Michael Akpovie Olise
France
