France beat Belgium 1-0 with a late Michael Olise goal under Zidane

Tactical Rotation and the Zidane Era

Zinedine Zidane opted for a significant overhaul of his squad for this Ligue des Nations fixture, making nine changes to the starting lineup that faced Turkey three days prior. Only goalkeeper Mike Maignan and defender Maxence Lacroix retained their positions. The experimental side featured first-time starters Jérémy Jacquet, Andy Diouf, and Lucas Da Cunha. Despite the lack of experience in the XI, France controlled the tempo for much of the match, maintaining 70% possession during the opening ten minutes.

The tactical approach emphasized a fluid 4-3-3 formation, with Lucas Da Cunha operating as a creative sentinel in midfield. While the team showed early promise in their passing sequences and high-pressing structure, the manager acknowledged that the performance remains a work in progress. Zidane noted after the match that the team is still in the early stages of establishing his preferred style of play, focusing on consistent movement and defensive discipline upon losing possession.

Missed Opportunities and Defensive Resilience

France dominated the attacking statistics throughout the first half, though they struggled to convert their chances into a lead. Désiré Doué provided the most consistent threat for the visitors, striking the crossbar in the 12th minute after a skillful individual run inside the penalty area. Further attempts by Esteban Lepaul and Bradley Barcola were neutralized by the Belgian defense and goalkeeper Senne Lammens.

Belgium’s primary threats came largely from Kevin De Bruyne, who challenged the French defense with a long-range lob attempt in the 24th minute and an enlivened offensive push late in the second half. Following the introduction of Dodi Lukebakio in the 73rd minute, the Belgian attack increased the pressure on the French backline. Maignan proved decisive in the 73rd and 78th minutes, closing down angles to deny Lukebakio and preserving the clean sheet.

Michael Olise Decides the Outcome

The breakthrough arrived in the final minutes when Michael Olise, who entered the match as a substitute, broke the deadlock. Receiving a pass from fellow substitute Rayan Cherki, Olise controlled the ball with his shoulder before driving through the Belgian defense. His low, clinical strike in the 88th minute beat Lammens, securing the 1-0 win. This goal ended a personal drought for the Bayern Munich winger, who had failed to score in his previous 21 attempts for the national team.

Reflecting on the goal, Zidane praised the individual quality of his player, stating that Olise possesses a natural instinct for the game and an ability to influence the outcome of a match through his dribbling and vision. The victory extends France’s official record against Belgium to eight consecutive wins.

Evaluating Performance and Future Depth

The match provided mixed results regarding player development. While newcomers like Jacquet and Da Cunha were praised for their composure and creativity, other areas of the pitch showed limitations. Andy Diouf faced difficulties defensively in the left-back role, and Esteban Lepaul struggled to find an impact throughout his time on the field. Nevertheless, the victory confirms a positive start for the new coaching staff, with a clear focus on integrating younger talent into the core setup.

The French squad now prepares for their upcoming home fixtures in the competition. The team is scheduled to face Italy and Belgium in their next two matches, where they will look to maintain their winning momentum and further refine their tactical cohesion under Zidane.