France make it two wins from two in Brussels
Michael Olise scored in the 88th minute to give France a 1–0 victory over Belgium in Brussels on September 28, maintaining Zinedine Zidane’s winning start as national-team coach. The match finished early on September 29 in the Philippines.
After opportunities at both ends had gone unconverted, Olise broke through the Belgian defence and finished inside the post. His late intervention settled a game that had remained goalless for most of the evening.
France were without injured captain Kylian Mbappé, and Zidane made nine changes to the side that had beaten Türkiye 1–0 in the opening round, AFP reported. The result showed that the altered lineup could still secure three points away from home.
Liverpool defender Jeremy Jacquet made his senior international debut and played the full match. His club confirmed that teammate Bradley Barcola also started and completed 77 minutes, giving the evening significance beyond the winning goal.
France now have six points in League A Group 1. Belgium and Italy have three each, while Türkiye remain without a point after their 4–1 defeat by Italy.
The next test for France is Italy on October 2 in France, the European fixture date. Olise’s winner sends the hosts into that meeting with two victories and no goals conceded in the competition.