Olise’s late goal gives France 1-0 win over Belgium

France defeated Belgium 1-0 in Brussels on Monday, September 28, 2026, as Michael Olise scored an 88th-minute winner in a tightly contested UEFA Nations League match. The result gave France another victory under new coach Zinedine Zidane, while Belgium were left frustrated after failing to convert their late pressure. ^{[1] [2]}

Olise decides a cagey contest

The match at King Baudouin Stadium appeared destined to finish goalless until Olise, introduced from the bench, struck in the closing stages. Sky Sports recorded the decisive goal in the 88th minute, confirming France’s 1-0 victory and Belgium’s failure to score at home. ^[2]

France controlled more of the game, but Belgium remained competitive. The visitors’ starting lineup included goalkeeper Mike Maignan, Eduardo Camavinga and Désiré Doué, while Belgium began with Kevin De Bruyne, Youri Tielemans and Charles De Ketelaere. Both sides made several substitutions as the match opened up in the second half. ^[2]

The result was also reflected in the match reporting from Al Jazeera, which described Olise’s late individual effort as the moment that separated the teams. The outlet’s full-time summary listed Belgium 0, France 1, with the goal credited to Olise. ^[1]

France’s new era gathers momentum

The Brussels win was France’s second victory in the opening phase of Zidane’s tenure. Before facing Belgium, France had beaten Türkiye 1-0 on September 25, also in the Nations League. Le Monde reported that the result made Zidane the first France coach since Aimé Jacquet in 1994 to win his opening match in charge. ^[3]

Zidane’s early run has nevertheless been shaped by uncertainty around Kylian Mbappé. The France captain scored against Türkiye but suffered a knee tendon injury during that match. Le Monde reported that he was expected to miss France’s next three group fixtures, including the Belgium game. ^[3]

Mbappé’s absence placed greater responsibility on France’s other attacking players. Olise ultimately supplied the decisive contribution, while the team’s bench provided an important lift late in the match. France’s ability to win without its leading attacking name will be one of the main talking points from the opening games of the Zidane era.

Belgium’s encouraging performance ends without reward

Belgium created enough pressure to keep the match close, but the hosts could not find an equaliser after Olise’s goal. De Bruyne started the match but was substituted in the 63rd minute, according to the official team listing published by Sky Sports. Belgium also brought on Dodi Lukebakio, Hans Vanaken, Maxim De Cuyper and Nicolas Raskin during the second half. ^[2]

For Belgium, the defeat is especially difficult because the team remained within touching distance of a result for almost the entire contest. The hosts avoided conceding until the final minutes and finished the match with an opportunity to rescue a point, but France’s defence held firm.

The match also offered a glimpse of Belgium’s next generation. Mika Godts started in attack, while Romeo Lavia featured in midfield and Senne Lammens began in goal. Their involvement alongside established figures such as De Bruyne and Tielemans underlined the balance Belgium are trying to build between experience and renewal. ^[2]

What comes next

UEFA’s Nations League schedule lists Belgium’s next match as a home fixture against Türkiye on October 2, followed by an away meeting with France on October 5. Belgium will then face Türkiye and Italy in November. ^[4]

The October 5 return meeting gives Belgium a rapid opportunity to respond, although France will enter it with the psychological advantage of two early wins. Whether Mbappé is available remains a major question, while Olise’s late impact has strengthened France’s attacking options.

For viewers in Sri Lanka, the result arrived early on September 29 local time because the match was played in Brussels on the night of September 28. The European fixture was among the football stories drawing attention in Sri Lanka’s online trend data, but its significance extends beyond the local search spike: it was a competitive Nations League meeting between two prominent European national teams and an early test of France’s post-World Cup direction under Zidane.

France leave Brussels with maximum reward from a match that produced little separation for 87 minutes. Belgium’s performance suggested they remain capable of challenging France, but until the return fixture, the decisive fact is simple: Olise’s late goal made the difference.