Zidane celebrates Olise’s late stunner as France edge Belgium in Nations League

Michael Olise’s outstanding late goal gave France a 1-0 UEFA Nations League win over Belgium and prompted an exuberant touchline celebration from coach Zinedine Zidane.

Olise received possession inside his own half in the 88th minute and carried the ball forward on the right. He moved inside before driving a powerful low shot into the bottom-left corner, finally beating Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens and deciding a match France had largely controlled.

Zidane ran down the touchline after the goal and kicked a loose ball away.

“I went along with the play and I wanted to be part of it,” Zidane said with a smile.

“I sensed he was off on a dribble and he made an exceptional play, so I wanted to follow him. And then I saw the ball there, and I told myself I had to shoot it. It might be a little bit ridiculous, but it doesn’t matter.”

France had threatened before Olise’s late intervention. Desire Doue hit the crossbar in the 12th minute, while Lucas Da Cunha struck the post with a fierce effort from around 25 yards.

Lammens also made several important saves to keep Belgium level until the closing stages.

Zidane had to reorganise his attack after Kylian Mbappe returned to Real Madrid with the knee injury he suffered in Friday’s 1-0 victory over Turkiye.

The France coach made nine changes to his starting XI, with Olise, Rayan Cherki and Ousmane Dembele among those beginning on the bench. Jeremy Jacquet, Andy Diouf and Lucas Da Cunha were handed their France debuts, while Maghnes Akliouche and Esteban Lepaul were included in the starting line-up.

Despite the changes, Zidane said he had confidence in the squad available to him.

“I believe in my players. I believe that I have a group, a team, that gets along well and works well together. I have high-quality players,” he said.

“I wasn’t afraid at all of what might happen. And that’s how it was planned from the start anyway. I told myself that I have 23 players at my disposal and I am going to use them all eventually.”

France will next face Italy at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis on Friday.