Zidane praises Olise after the Bayern star scores a stunning late winner as France beat Belgium 1-0 in the UEFA Nations League

France head coach Zinedine Zidane has praised Michael Olise for his creativity and attacking freedom after the Bayern Munich winger scored an 88th-minute winner against Belgium in the UEFA Nations League on Monday.

Also read: Nations League: Olise’s Late Stunner Seals France Win in Belgium

Olise came off the bench in the 77th minute before producing a brilliant individual effort to settle the Group A1 contest at the King Baudouin Stadium.

The 24-year-old received the ball from Rayan Cherki inside his own half, carried it towards the Belgian penalty area and worked his way past Maxim De Cuyper before cutting inside onto his left foot.

Olise then sent a low shot beyond goalkeeper Senne Lammens and into the bottom corner, giving France a 1-0 victory and maintaining Zidane’s perfect start as national-team manager.

The goal was the decisive moment in a match France had largely controlled but struggled to finish.

Désiré Doué struck the crossbar in the first half, while Lucas Da Cunha hit the post after the interval as France repeatedly threatened without finding the breakthrough.

Olise eventually supplied the clinical finish, and his performance prompted an enthusiastic reaction from Zidane.

“When Olise is on the pitch, he wants to entertain. He feels football. I love that,” Zidane told TF1.

The France coach added: “I’m happy to be alongside him and watch him play this way.”

Zidane’s reaction reflected not only the quality of Olise’s goal but also the freedom with which the winger attacked the Belgian defence.

Olise had started France’s previous Nations League match against Türkiye but began Monday’s game on the bench as Zidane made nine changes to the side that won 1-0 in Turkey.

The victory means Zidane has won both of his opening matches since succeeding Didier Deschamps as France coach following the World Cup. France also defeated Türkiye 1-0 in Zidane’s first match in charge.

France now sit top of Group A1 with six points from two matches.

Belgium and Italy have three points each after Italy recovered from their opening defeat to Belgium with a 4-1 victory over Türkiye on Monday.

The result was particularly encouraging for Zidane because France travelled to Brussels without captain Kylian Mbappé, who returned to Real Madrid for treatment after sustaining a left-knee injury against Türkiye.

Zidane nevertheless made extensive use of his squad, handing debuts to Lucas Da Cunha and Esteban Lepaul while reshaping much of the starting XI.

The approach paid off as France maintained their defensive discipline and eventually found the quality required through their substitutes.

Cherki, who supplied the pass for Olise’s goal, had entered the match alongside Olise in the 77th minute.

Their immediate impact gave France the attacking spark that had been missing for much of the second half.

Zidane’s own celebration also became a talking point after he reacted wildly to the goal on the touchline.

Reports described the France manager sprinting in celebration after Olise’s finish, underlining the emotion surrounding the late breakthrough.

For Olise, the goal continues an impressive international period. He was among France’s notable performers during their run to the World Cup semi-finals and has now made an early impact under Zidane.

France’s next challenge will come against Italy at the Stade de France on Friday, October 2, in Zidane’s first home match as national-team coach.

France will then face Belgium again on October 5 as the Group A1 campaign continues.

For now, though, the focus remains on Olise, whose remarkable late run and finish turned a tense evening in Brussels into another victory for Zidane’s France.

Also read: Nations League: Olise’s Late Stunner Seals France Win in Belgium

As Zidane put it, he is simply happy to watch the winger play with the freedom and imagination that make him such an influential part of the French attack.