Zinedine Zidane Praises Michael Olise After Stunning Solo Goal Secures France Win Over Belgium
Zinedine Zidane was full of admiration for Michael Olise after the Bayern Munich winger’s late solo goal clinched a 1-0 victory for France against Belgium in the UEFA Nations League at Brussels.
Olise Breaks Deadlock With Brilliant Solo Run
The match, held at King Baudouin Stadium, remained tightly contested until the 88th minute when substitute Olise took control. Receiving the ball in his own half, the former Crystal Palace player used his shoulder to steady it before driving forward, leaving the Belgian defense behind. After shaking off his marker, Olise calmly slotted a low shot into the bottom corner, sparking wild celebrations from Zidane on the sidelines.
Despite missing injured star Kylian Mbappe, France dominated possession but found it difficult to break through Mark van Bommel’s organised Belgian defence until Olise’s decisive moment.
Zidane Celebrates Extraordinary Talent
Taking over as manager earlier this year, Zidane has been shaping the French squad and clearly values Olise’s presence. The winger came on in the 77th minute, replacing Bradley Barcola. After the final whistle, Zidane spoke highly of Olise’s skill and intelligence:
I saw him dribble past a defender, and I said to myself: He’s going to score. I was cheering him on with all my heart. He is an extraordinary talent. I love this type of player. When he plays, he wants to entertain the fans. But it doesn’t stop there. He has a great sense of the game, he anticipates the opponent’s movements, and he knows when to attack and when to drop back.
France’s Strong Performance Despite Missed Chances
France had several opportunities to seal the game earlier, firing 18 shots compared to Belgium’s 12. Desire Doue impressed in attack, hitting the woodwork and taking five shots on target. Debutant Lucas da Cunha nearly scored too, with his shot rebounding off the post. These young players stepped up in Mbappe’s absence.
Belgium, coached by Mark van Bommel, proved resilient for most of the match. Their counter-attacks, led by Mika Godts and Dodi Lukebakio, tested French goalkeeper Mike Maignan on several occasions. Still, the disciplined Belgian backline finally gave way to Olise’s direct run.
Upcoming Fixtures for France and Belgium
Zidane has begun his national team management career with perfect results, even if the team is still finding its rhythm. France will face Italy on October 2, aiming to extend their winning streak and strengthen their lead in the group. Meanwhile, Belgium will travel to Turkey the same day, hoping to bounce back from their defeat.
- UEFA Nations League A
- France (FRA) vs Italy (ITA): 2 Oct 2026, 21:45
- Belgium (BEL) vs Turkey (TUR): 2 Oct 2026, 21:45
