France secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Belgium in the UEFA Nations League on Monday after Michael Olise struck an 89th-minute winner at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels.
The visitors controlled much of the Group A1 encounter but were unable to find a breakthrough until the closing stages, with Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens making several important saves to keep his side in contention.
France came close early on when Désiré Doué saw his effort crash against the crossbar, before Esteban Lepaul failed to beat Lammens after being picked out by Doué.
Belgium threatened on the counter, with Kevin De Bruyne producing a dangerous cutback that went across the French penalty area without finding a teammate.
De Bruyne later tried his luck from distance but could not trouble Mike Maignan.
France continued to create the better chances after the interval.
Doué went close again before Lucas Da Cunha struck the post from long range, while Lammens produced a fingertip save to deny Doué as the visitors intensified their pressure.
Belgium also had opportunities during an increasingly open finish, with Dodi Lukébakio twice forcing Maignan into saves after breaking forward on the counter-attack.
But France finally got their reward in the 89th minute.
Olise, who had only been introduced 12 minutes earlier, embarked on a superb run from inside his own half, beat four Belgium defenders and calmly placed his shot into the bottom-left corner.
The victory maintained France’s perfect start in Group A1, while Belgium were left to rue their failure to convert their opportunities after holding out for almost the entire match.
