Olise scores twice off bench v Belgium as Zidane hails natural leader

📰 Bayern winger Michael Olise followed his free-kick goal against Italy with two against Belgium to emerge as the star of Zidane's France. Zidane called him "a natural leader". 📌 Key points ⚽ Olise opened the scoring against Italy with a free-kick in the 55th minute 🤝 France conceded an equaliser to Bastoni and drew 1-1 🔥 Against Belgium on 5 October he came off the bench to score twice 🔁 France came from 0-1 down to win 4-1 🏆 France stayed top of the group with 10 points from four games 📝 What happened 🏟️ In the Nations League match against Italy at the Stade de France on 2 October, Olise struck a left-footed free-kick from around 25 yards in the 55th minute, which went in off the underside of the crossbar. Donnarumma could not move. But Bastoni equalised for Italy in the 68th minute, and France finished the game 1-1 with Upamecano sent off for a second booking. 🗣️ Zidane praised Olise, saying he is a little introverted and shy off the pitch but not at all on it, and that he is a natural leader who leads the team through his own performances. 🔥 Three days later at the same stadium, Olise was the match-winner again against Belgium. France conceded to Dodi Lukébakio in the 35th minute and trailed until the 77th. Zidane had brought on Cherki and Olise by around the hour mark, and the changes paid off. Désiré Doué equalised in the 77th minute, Rayan Cherki put France ahead in the 81st, and Olise scored twice in three minutes at the end to complete a 4-1 win. Four goals came in the final 13 minutes. 🗣️ After the match Zidane said: "This is football and what we love," adding that France had struggled in the first half but put in a special second-half performance. The win was Zidane's first at home. 📊 By the numbers • France 1-1 Italy (Olise 55', Bastoni 68') • France 4-1 Belgium (Lukébakio 35' / Doué 77', Cherki 81', Olise 2 goals) • 4 goals in the final 13 minutes • Group standings: France 10 points, Italy 7 🔭 Why it matters With Mbappé out with a knee injury, Olise has established himself as France's attacking match-winner. Showing the finishing to turn games even from the bench has raised expectations for his performances at Bayern too. France top the group three points ahead of Italy, and qualification for the quarter-finals will be decided in November away to Italy and at home to Türkiye. Olise returns to Bayern for the trip to Augsburg on 10 October.