Belgium 0-1 France: Olise keeps Zidane perfect with last-gasp winner

Michael Olise came off the bench to snatch France a late 1-0 victory over Belgium in the Nations League to continue their 100% start.

It looked like Zinedine Zidane's side were 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.

France get over the line after a stuttering attacking display

France's wealth of attacking talent is clear for all to see, but Mbappe is the lynchpin, having also scored the winner against Turkiye last time out when Les Bleus had struggled to break their opponents down.

Zidane shuffled his pack, leaving an obvious replacement in Ousmane Dembele – who entered the fray in the second half – on the bench.

Three players made their debuts as starters in France's team (Andy Diouf, Jeremy Jacquet and Da Cunha), a first since August 2010, when there were six debutants in the line-up.

France certainly had plenty of chances to put the game to bed, racking up 18 shots with seven of those on target, with their attempts amounting to 1.15 expected goals (xG).

Doue was their best outlet, having five shots himself, with two of those testing Lammens and another hitting the woodwork. He had a game-high 16 touches in the opposition box, and also created four chances for his team-mates.

But it was Olise who turned the tide, pulling out a high-quality goal to spare France's blushes and ensure Zidane made it two wins from two.

Belgium will feel the game was theirs for the taking, having held off France for so long, but their first shot on target did not come until the 73rd minute, and when Matias Fernandez-Pardo had a golden opportunity to snatch a draw at the end, he went down too easily as he fired wide, with no penalty forthcoming.