"Mbappe? We can do without him" — Zidane's magic is working... France crushes Belgium 1-0 with Ollise's 88th-minute "dramatic goal," securing second consecutive UNL win

*This content was translated by AI.

France has won two consecutive matches since the appointment of "master coach" Zinedine Zidane (54). The Italian national team, with Roberto Mancini (62) returning to the helm, also recorded its first victory.

On the 29th (Korean time), France defeated Belgium 1-0 in the second match of Group A, League A, of the 2026~2027 UEFA Nations League (UNL), held in Brussels, Belgium, to take first place in the group (six points).

Coach Zidane, who took charge in August following the conclusion of the 2026 North and Central America World Cup, recorded a second consecutive scoreless victory, following the match against Turkey on the 25th. It is a performance befitting the master coach who led Real Madrid to three consecutive UEFA Champions League (UCL) titles.

On this day, France made nine changes to its starting lineup as captain Kylian Mbappe was sidelined with a knee injury. Jeremy Jacquet and two others made their A-match debuts.

The match was decided by Michael Ollise's winning goal in the 43rd minute of the second half. Ollise advanced to the edge of the penalty box with a rapid solo dribble before striking the ball with his left foot to shake the net.

After the match, Coach Zidane expressed satisfaction, stating, "I sensed the goal as I watched Ollise's dribble."

Italy, in the same group, secured a 4-1 victory away against Turkey. Italy, which had lost to Belgium on the 25th (0-2), made up for that defeat and gave Coach Mancini, who returned as head coach of the national team, his first win.

Italy started with an early goal from Alessandro Bastoni in the ninth minute of the first half, followed by consecutive goals from Davide Fratesi in the 22nd minute and Michael Kayode in the 27th minute of the first half. It has been five years since Italy scored three goals within the first 30 minutes of an A-match. Pio Esposito added a decisive goal in the fifth minute of the second half.

After the match, Coach Mancini praised the team, saying, "The players performed pressing well from high positions."

France and Italy, both securing victories, will face each other in the third group stage match to be held at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, France, in early October. This match will be Coach Zidane's home debut with the French national team.

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*This content was translated by AI.