Brussels: Michael Olise scored a sensational late goal to give France a 1-0 victory over Belgium in the UEFA Nations League on Monday, preserving Zinedine Zidane's perfect start of two wins from two games as national team coach.

Bayern Munich winger Olise, who starred during France's run to the World Cup semi-finals, was introduced from the substitutes' bench late in a goalless encounter in Brussels before embarking on a run from his own half to produce the 88th-minute winner.

"He is a pure talent, and he loves to just play. You can see it. He feels the game. I am pleased to be at his side," Zidane, who sprinted down the touchline and kicked a ball in celebration, told broadcaster TF1.

The victory follows a 1-0 away win against Turkey last Friday in Zidane's opening fixture since succeeding Didier Deschamps after the World Cup.

The result leaves Les Bleus top of Nations League Group A1 with six points, sitting three points clear of both Belgium and Italy, the latter having defeated Turkey 4-1 on Monday.

France will next host Italy at the Stade de France on Friday in what will mark Zidane's first home match in charge, before entertaining Belgium the following Monday.

"We need a rest now. We have done a lot of travelling and not much training or resting," Zidane said.

"We were really good in every department. Against a really good Belgium side who made us suffer, we held out, we played really well, and we were brave.

"We had some difficulties in the second half at times, but that was to be expected with all the changes we made. I think we dominated the game. Overall we deserved to win, and we got the goal towards the end."

Mbappe absent, Jacquet debuts

Zidane was without captain Kylian Mbappe in Brussels after the Real Madrid forward returned to his club to undergo treatment for a left knee injury sustained while scoring the winning goal against Turkey.

The French starting line-up at the King Baudouin Stadium featured nine alterations, with only goalkeeper Mike Maignan and Chelsea defender Maxence Lacroix retaining their places from the previous match.

The reshuffle included senior international debuts for Liverpool defender Jeremy Jacquet, Como midfielder Lucas Da Cunha, and Rennes forward Esteban Lepaul, who finished as the top scorer in Ligue 1 last season.

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In contrast, Belgium made just two changes to the side that secured a 2-0 victory in Italy last Friday for new head coach Mark van Bommel's first home fixture in charge.

France created the better opportunities during the contest, with Paris Saint-Germain's Desire Doue striking the crossbar in the first half and Da Cunha hitting the post early in the second period.

The match appeared destined for a goalless draw until the entry of Olise, who replaced Liverpool winger Bradley Barcola in the 77th minute.

The London-born attacker gathered the ball deep inside his own half, drove towards the edge of the Belgian penalty area, and curled a precise effort past Senne Lammens into the bottom-left corner.

AFP