France Defeats Belgium 1-0, Zinedine Zidane Remains Perfect in the UEFA Nations League

Zinedine Zidane has not dropped a single point since being appointed head coach of the France National Team. Les Bleus secured another 1-0 victory, this time over Belgium on Matchday 2 of the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League Group A 1, held at King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels on Tuesday WIB.

Michael Olise scored the decisive winner for France with an 88th minute goal. This result puts France at the top of Group 1 with six points from two matches, while Belgium drops to second place with three points.

This victory in Brussels continues Zidane's perfect start as France manager. Having previously guided Les Bleus to a 1-0 win against Turkey, Zidane once again led his side to claim all three points in this high-pressure fixture.

Both teams started the match cautiously. France created their first clear goalscoring opportunity in the 12th minute via a solo run from Desire Doue.

The French winger dribbled past three Belgian defenders inside the penalty box before firing a shot, only for the effort to strike the crossbar.

This chance boosted France's confidence. Les Bleus began to take control of proceedings and repeatedly looked to threaten with rapid counter-attacks.

France had two further penalty area incidents in the 21st and 25th minutes, though the referee did not award a penalty on either occasion.

Pressure continued in the 27th minute. Maghnes Akliouche directed a free kick towards the Belgian goal, but Senne Lammens produced a solid save.

Pierre Kalulu met the resulting loose ball, but the Belgian defence cleared the danger quickly to keep the score at 0-0.

Belgium began to find their rhythm late in the first half. Kevin De Bruyne pulled the strings for the home side's attack, repeatedly creating space for his teammates.

However, Belgium lacked clinical finishing in the final third. Both sides headed into the half time break deadlocked at 0-0.

France retook the initiative after the interval. Doue fired an effort in the 52nd minute that drifted wide of the left post of Belgium's goal.  

Two minutes later, Lucas Da Cunha came close to breaking the deadlock when his strike from outside the penalty box hit the goalpost.

France did not ease their pressure. Doue took another shot in the 57th minute, but Lammens denied the chance once again.

The loose ball fell to Esteban Lepaul, but the French forward's flicked finish went just wide of the target.

Belgium sat deep for large periods to absorb Les Bleus' pressure, though the home side remained dangerous whenever they could launch counter-attacks.

In the 73rd minute, Dodi Lukebakio almost put Belgium ahead. The substitute struck from inside the penalty area, but Mike Maignan pulled off a vital save.

The match opened up late on, as both sides increased their attacking intensity knowing all three points were still up for grabs.

Just as the fixture looked set to end goalless, France found the breakthrough in the 88th minute.

Michael Olise was the difference maker. The substitute received a pass from Rayan Cherki, dribbled into space, and fired a low left-footed finish into the bottom right corner of Lammens' goal.

This goal completely shifted the match. France took the 1-0 lead, and Belgium were left with insufficient time to find an equaliser.

The final whistle confirmed France's second victory under Zidane. Six points from two fixtures see Les Bleus sit top of Group 1, while Belgium were forced to accept defeat on home soil.

For their upcoming fixtures, Belgium will face Turkey, while France are scheduled to host Italy.

Lineups

Belgium (4-2-3-1): Senne Lammens; Timothy Castagne, Toby Ngoy, Brandon Mechele, Matisse Seys (De Cuyper 68'); Youri Tielemans, Romeo Lavia (Raskin 85'); Antonio Moreira (Dodi Lukebakio 63'), Julien Duranville/Arne Engels, Kevin De Bruyne (Vanaken 63'); Charles De Ketelaere (Fernandez-Pardo 85').

France (4-3-3): Mike Maignan; Pierre Kalulu, Chrislain Matsima/Jacquet, Maxence Lacroix, Malick Diouf; Lucas Da Cunha (Manu Kone 90'), Maghnes Akliouche (Rayan Cherki 77'), Eduardo Camavinga; Desire Doue, Bradley Barcola (Michael Olise 77'), Esteban Lepaul (Ousmane Dembele 68').