Les Bleus beat Belgium 1-0 in a Nations League group-stage match on September 28, 2026, with a last-minute, gasp-inducing strike from Michael Olise. France could have had more goals on the board, but finishing in the final third proved difficult throughout.
From the opening whistle, they controlled possession, created chances, and consistently pressured the Belgian defense. Belgium, however, remained organized and made France work for every opportunity. On the other end, Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens performed well, making five saves on six shots.
Désiré Doué was another key performer for France. The young attacker took five shots and looked dangerous throughout, though he couldn’t find the back of the net. His contributions extended beyond offense, as he helped apply defensive pressure and made life difficult for Belgium when they tried to play out of the back.
Overall, it was a somewhat lackluster game offensively, especially given how much possession France controlled. However, the low score also highlighted how well both defenses performed. Belgium did an excellent job keeping France from turning possession into goals, while France’s defense kept Belgium from generating enough chances to threaten the result seriously.
The squad chosen for today’s match was not Les Blues’ primary starting lineup. Even so, the team controlled the pitch as if the players had been playing together for years.
The French side finished with 65% possession compared with Belgium’s 35%. They also completed 629 of 681 passes, demonstrating just how much control they had over the game. Despite relying heavily on substitutes, reserve players, and younger squad members, France maintained its identity and dictated the tempo for large portions of the match.
One notable story was Jérémy Jacquet. The 21-year-old center-back made his first international appearance and earned his first start. Being thrown into a competitive match against Belgium is no small task, but Jacquet got the chance to show what he could bring to the national team.
Esteban Lepaul also earned his first start. He filled in for Kylian MMbappéfor the second time in the Nations League after joining the squad during the win over Turkey. MMbappésuffered an injury after the late goal in that match, opening the door for Lepaul to get more opportunities.
Lepaul didn’t produce much offensively in this match, but it is important to keep that in mind. He is still relatively new to the international setup, and adjusting to the speed, pressure, and expectations of playing for a team of their caliber takes time.
That depth is one of the country’s biggest advantages. With such a large pool of talented players, the team can give younger players opportunities while still maintaining a high level of quality on the field.
Going back to an earlier point, finishing in the final third was the biggest issue in this match. They had possession and created opportunities, but they struggled to turn that control into goals.
Inexperience also played a small role. Many of the players involved today have not accumulated significant international experience with the senior national team. Players such as Mike Maignan, Michael Olise, and Eduardo Camavinga have already seen meaningful minutes in the first team. However, several of their teammates are still trying to establish themselves at the international level.
That is not necessarily something the players can control. Young players need opportunities to gain experience, and matches like this provide exactly that. Some of the players in this squad are still developing their careers, while others are adjusting to the expectations that come with representing one of the world’s top national teams.
On the opposite side, Belgium has players with years of international experience. Kevin De Bruyne is perhaps the clearest example. Even as he moves beyond his absolute prime, De Bruyne has shown throughout his career that he can influence an entire match. His ability to control the tempo, create opportunities, and dictate play has made him one of the most recognizable midfielders of his generation.
We may not see De Bruyne dominate matches as often as we did earlier in his career, but there have still been glimpses of that player in recent years, including during the last World Cup.
On the other hand, this match was less about proving anything and more about showing the depth of talent available to the national team. Even without many of their biggest stars, Les Bleus controlled possession, limited Belgium’s chances, and found a way to win.
The biggest takeaway is that France still has room to improve. If they can become more efficient in front of goal while continuing to develop their younger players, they will have even more options when their primary stars return to the lineup.
A 1-0 win may not be the most thrilling result, but they will take the three points. Sometimes, winning a tight game while giving younger players valuable experience can matter as much as putting a bunch of goals on the board.
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