France substitute Michael Olise scored two minutes from time as the visitors snatched a late 1-0 win against Belgium in the Nations League on Monday, while Italy returned to winning ways with a thumping 4-1 away triumph over Turkey.
Fortunes ebbed and flowed in Brussels but Olise kept up France coach Zinedine Zidane’s winning start to his new job with a surging run from midway inside the Belgian half before a superb finish to win the Group A1 fixture.
France were without captain Kylian Mbappe and Zidane made nine changes to the side that edged Turkey 1-0 last week but it was after bringing on the likes of Ousmane Dembele, Rayan Cherki and Olise that the French turned the game in their favour.
“We played a good game, we deserved to win, and we are all relieved by Michael’s goal,” said France debutant Lucas da Cunha.
“My performance?
The coach gave me his full confidence and told me to express myself, to do what I do at club level. I felt good on the pitch.”
Desire Doue was a persistent danger as he took on the home defence and twice hit the woodwork but Belgium will rue the opportunities they spurned with Mika Godts outstanding for them.
