The France national football team secured a 1-0 victory against Belgium in Brussels on September 28, 2026, during the Ligue des nations, powered by a late solo goal from Michael Olise. Head coach Zinédine Zidane implemented a heavily experimental lineup featuring nine changes from the side that defeated Turkey three days earlier, successfully moving the squad to the top of Group A.
Zidane Shakes Up the Lineup in Brussels
Facing a Belgium squad that reached the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Zinédine Zidane gambled on squad rotation just days after a 1-0 win in Turkey. Goalkeeper Mike Maignan wore the captain’s armband for a second match, while defender Maxence Lacroix also retained his spot in the team.
The tactical overhaul provided international opportunities for several fresh faces. Jérémy Jacquet, Andy Diouf, and Lucas Da Cunha all earned their first nods under the new technical staff. Despite the lack of continuity, the heavily altered French collective matched and ultimately outplayed their hosts across the pitch.
Young Talents Dictate the Pace
With Kylian Mbappé sidelined by an injury, the French attack found a creative spark through 21-year-old Paris Saint-Germain forward Désiré Doué. Serving as the primary offensive catalyst in the first half, Doué rattled the Belgian crossbar in the 12th minute following a driving solo run through the central defense. Throughout the match, he consistently tested the Belgian backline with precise deliveries into the box.
Alongside Doué, Como midfielder Lucas Da Cunha anchored the center of the pitch in his maiden international appearance. Da Cunha neutralized Belgian captain Youri Tielemans with disciplined defensive work and neat distribution, nearly finding the back of the net himself with a long-range effort that struck the goalpost in the 53rd minute.
Olise Breaks the Deadlock Late
Belgium threatened through dangerous surges from Mika Godts and substitute Dodi Lukebakio, forcing Maignan into a crucial save in the 72nd minute before Lacroix cleared a subsequent chance off the line. To counter the Belgian pressure, Zidane turned to his bench, introducing Ousmane Dembélé, Rayan Cherki, and Michael Olise.
The decisive breakthrough arrived in the 88th minute. Receiving a pass from Manchester City midfielder Rayan Cherki, Olise controlled the ball with his shoulder, shrugged off a challenge from Maxim De Cuyper, and completed a 50-meter run with a precise left-footed strike past goalkeeper Senne Lammens. The Bayern Munich winger needed only 11 minutes on the pitch after entering at the three-quarter mark to secure the 1-0 result.
“I accompanied him. I saw him start dribbling, I said ‘he’s going to score’… I was fully behind him,” Zidane said in post-match remarks broadcast by TF1.
Group Standings and Upcoming Fixtures
The narrow triumph lifts France to the summit of Group A in the Ligue des nations table. The squad returns home to the Stade de France to host Italy on October 2, 2026, followed by a rematch against Belgium on October 5, 2026.
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