Olise Wonder Goal Keeps Zidane Perfect in Brussels as Italy Hit Four in Bursa
Michael Olise's late solo goal gave France a 1-0 win over Belgium, while a much-changed Italy thrashed Türkiye 4-1 in Nations League Group A1 on Monday.
Zinedine Zidane's France made it two wins from two in the UEFA Nations League on Monday night, while Italy bounced back from their opening defeat in style. Both Group A1 matches on 28 September finished with the away side celebrating: Belgium 0-1 France in Brussels and Türkiye 1-4 Italy in Bursa.
For Malaysian fans, both matches were played in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Belgium 0-1 France: Olise settles it late
With Kylian Mbappé ruled out through injury, Zidane handed full debuts to several younger players, including Liverpool defender Jérémy Jacquet, Lucas Da Cunha, Andy Diouf and Esteban Lepaul.
France had most of the ball at the King Baudouin Stadium, with Désiré Doué a constant threat, but Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens made a series of saves to keep the score level. Mark van Bommel's Belgium had chances of their own, the best of them a one-on-one for Dodi Lukebakio that Mike Maignan saved.
The winner came in the closing minutes. Michael Olise controlled the ball in his own half, ran the length of the pitch into the Belgian penalty area and finished calmly into the bottom corner. French football site Get French Football News called it a wonder goal.
The win keeps Zidane's record as France coach perfect after two matches.
Türkiye 1-4 Italy: the Azzurri respond
Italy made eight changes after their 2-0 home defeat to Belgium on Friday, and the new-look side was 3-0 up inside 27 minutes in Bursa.
- 9th minute: Alessandro Bastoni swept in after a Turkish defensive mix-up.
- 22nd minute: Davide Frattesi finished from close range after a fine passing move.
- 27th minute: Debutant Michael Kayode made it three.
Barış Alper Yılmaz pulled one back for Türkiye two minutes after half-time, but Francesco Pio Esposito restored the three-goal cushion in the 50th minute.
Football Italia noted several milestones: Kayode, Matteo Ruggeri and Sebastiano Esposito all made debuts, the Esposito brothers started together, and Pio Esposito became only the second Italian to score five or more international goals before turning 21.
Group A1 after two rounds
- France – 6 points
- Belgium – 3 points
- Italy – 3 points
- Türkiye – 0 points
The Nations League returns with two more rounds of matches between 1 and 6 October, before the league phase concludes in November.
What it means
France have built an early lead in what looked like one of the toughest groups in League A, and they have done it without Mbappé for most of the window. Italy's response in Bursa suggests Friday's loss to Belgium may have been a blip, and Türkiye, with no points yet, face a difficult October.
Key takeaways
- France beat Belgium 1-0 in Brussels thanks to a late Michael Olise solo goal.
- Italy beat Türkiye 4-1 in Bursa with goals from Bastoni, Frattesi, Kayode and Pio Esposito.
- France lead Group A1 with six points; Belgium and Italy have three each.
- The next Nations League matches are played between 1 and 6 October.
FAQ
Who scored for France against Belgium? Michael Olise scored the only goal late in the second half after a long solo run.
Did Mbappé play for France against Belgium? No. He missed the match through injury.
Who scored Italy's goals against Türkiye? Alessandro Bastoni, Davide Frattesi, Michael Kayode and Francesco Pio Esposito. Barış Alper Yılmaz scored for Türkiye.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, Get French Football News, Al Jazeera, Football Italia, ESPN, UEFA