Michael Olise came off the bench to snatch France a late 1-0 victory over Belgium in the Nations League, continuing their 100% start under Zinedine Zidane.

It looked like Zidane's side were set to be frustrated in the injured Kylian Mbappe's absence, but Olise took just 11 minutes after his introduction to score the winner at the Stade Roi Baudouin.

Doue dazzles but France wasteful

France started brightly, and Desire Doue almost scored a stunning opener just 12 minutes in; he twisted away from his marker and slalomed into the box before firing his shot against the crossbar. Doue almost turned provider shortly after as he whipped a delightful cross in from the right, though Esteban Depaul's first-time effort was straight at Senne Lammens. Maghnes Akliouche's free-kick was then spilled by Lammens, who jumped straight back up to smother Depaul's follow-up, and Romeo Lavia was needed on the line to deny Pierre Kalulu.

Doue bent a whipped effort narrowly wide seven minutes after the break, and two minutes later Lucas da Cunha came close to a debut goal with a fizzed effort through a crowded box that struck the foot of the right post.

Belgium grew into the game as it wore on, with substitute Dodi Lukebakio surging forward in the 73rd minute to poke a shot on goal, which Mike Maignan smothered. Lukebakio stung Maignan's palms shortly after with a powerful low effort, but no Belgian player was following in.

Olise makes the difference

France's quality eventually told, as Olise latched onto fellow substitute Rayan Cherki's pass, strode forward from the halfway line and curled a lovely finish into the bottom right corner in the 88th minute.

France racked up 18 shots, seven on target, amounting to 1.15 expected goals (xG). Doue was their best outlet with five shots, 16 touches in the opposition box and four chances created. Zidane made three debutant starters in Andy Diouf, Jeremy Jacquet and Da Cunha — the first time Les Bleus had three in a line-up since August 2010.

Belgium will feel the game was theirs for the taking, having held France off for so long, but their first shot on target did not come until the 73rd minute, and when Matias Fernandez-Pardo had a golden opportunity to snatch a draw at the end, he went down too easily as he fired wide, with no penalty forthcoming.