UEFA Nations League: Olise magic seals France’s late win in Brussels

Michael Olise ended his goal drought for France with a solo strike to send them top of Group 1 in the UEFA Nations League at the expense of Belgium. The FC Bayern winger came on as a late substitute, but it only took him ten minutes to score a brilliant goal to keep Zinedine Zidane’s perfect record intact as Les Bleus coach.

Olise also assisted Kylian Mbappé’s winner in Zidane's first game in charge against Türkiye. Didier Deachamps’ replacement made nine changes to his lineup, with the Real Madrid superstar missing with injury. Meanwhile, FC Bayern duo Dayot Upamecano and Olise were among those starting the game on the bench.

While the current Ballon d’Or holder Ousmane Dembele and Rayan Cherki also came on as a substitute, it was the 24-year-old who scored the all-important goal two minutes before the end of regular time. Zidane celebrated Olise’s signature strike by kicking the ball he found in front of him with pure joy.

The goal ended Olise's goal drought in international football as he was scoreless since netting a hat-trick against Northern Ireland in France’s last warmup game before the World Cup. The Ballon d’Or nominee recorded 74 direct goal contributions for club and country since the start of last season.

Without 2. Bundesliga star Mohamed Ali Zoma, Italy beat Türkiye 4-1 away from home in the other game from the group. Zidane will face Italy on Friday in his first game at the iconic Stade de France as the head coach of the French national team.