Zinedine Zidane didn't waste time putting his stamp on Les Bleus. Taking over the national team after the World Cup meant following Didier Deschamps, an era defined by pragmatic efficiency. Yet under Zidane, a fresh tactical identity is taking shape. You can see it in how they handle high-stakes pressure, and you saw it clearly in Brussels on Monday night.
Michael Olise came off the bench in the 77th minute against Belgium, replacing Bradley Barcola at the King Baudouin Stadium. With the scoreboard locked at 0-0 in the UEFA Nations League Group A1 clash, the match looked destined for a frustrating stalemate. Instead, the Bayern Munich star produced a moment of brilliance in the 88th minute. Picking up the ball inside his own half, Olise drove past challenges before curling an unstoppable shot beyond goalkeeper Senne Lammens into the bottom-left corner.
That 1-0 victory keeps France perfect at the top of Group A1 with six points from two games, following an opening 1-0 win away against Turkiye. More importantly, it highlights a squad transition that is moving faster than anyone predicted.
A Bold New Look Under Zidane
Zidane's squad rotation raised eyebrows across Europe before kickoff. With captain Kylian Mbappe sidelined due to a left knee injury picked up against Turkiye, the French lineup showed nine changes from the previous match. Only goalkeeper Mike Maignan and Chelsea defender Maxence Lacroix kept their starting spots.
We watched a completely overhauled attack and midfield take the pitch. Como midfielder Lucas Da Cunha earned his senior debut, while Rennes striker Esteban Lepaul—Ligue 1’s top scorer last season—got his first start up front. Paris Saint-Germain youngster Desire Doue also terrorized the Belgian defense, cracking a first-half shot against the crossbar. Da Cunha hit the post early in the second half.
Mark van Bommel’s Belgium side made only two changes following their 2-0 win over Italy, but they struggled to cope with the energy and directness of France's fresh legs.
Why Olise is Essential to the Future
People forget how quickly Olise adapted to elite football. After starring for Crystal Palace and earning rave reviews during France's run to the World Cup semifinals, his move to Bayern Munich cemented his status as a world-class creator.
When you watch Olise run from deep, you notice his composure. He doesn't panic when pressed by multiple defenders. Against Belgium, he waited for the exact right moment to shift the ball onto his preferred foot and unleash his shot. It is that kind of individual quality that wins tight international tournaments.
Zidane praised the team's resilience after the match, pointing out that depth will decide who wins silverware in this new cycle.
What Comes Next in Group A1
France returns home for a massive test against Italy at the Stade de France on Friday. That fixture marks Zidane’s managerial homecoming in front of Parisian fans, followed quickly by a home fixture against Belgium on October 5.
Italy bounced back from their opening stumble by crushing Turkiye 4-1, meaning Group A1 is far from settled. But with Olise in red-hot form and Zidane pulling the tactical strings, France holds all the cards. If you thought Les Bleus might slow down after the World Cup, this late winner proves the exact opposite.
