Michael Olise’s 88th-minute stunner sinks Belgium as Kayode scores for Italy

Updated 18:04 WAT, 1 Oct 2026: Nigeria lost 3-0 to Guinea-Bissau in their AFCON 2027 qualifier in Bissau on Tuesday, a day after Olise and Kayode starred in Europe.

Michael Olise came off the bench to score an 88th-minute winner as France beat Belgium 1-0 in the UEFA Nations League in Brussels on Monday night, keeping Zinedine Zidane’s record perfect.

For Nigerian fans, the night had a familiar twist. Olise, born in London to a father of Nigerian heritage, was one of two players with Nigerian roots who shaped Group A1. In Bursa, Brentford’s Michael Kayode, the son of Yoruba parents, scored on his senior debut as Italy thrashed Türkiye 4-1.

How did Olise win it for France?

Olise replaced Bradley Barcola with around a quarter of an hour to play at the King Baudouin Stadium. With two minutes of normal time left, the Bayern Munich winger picked up the ball in his own half and ran straight at Belgium.

He held off Maxime De Cuyper and curled a low shot past goalkeeper Senne Lammens, according to AFP’s match report. Fellow substitute Rayan Cherki supplied the pass, beIN Sports reported.

Zidane ran down the touchline screaming in celebration, the Associated Press reported. He later told TF1: “He is a pure talent and he loves to just play. You can see it. He feels the game.”

France were without captain Kylian Mbappé, who hurt his left knee while scoring the only goal in Friday’s win in Türkiye. Zidane made nine changes and handed debuts to several players, including Liverpool defender Jeremy Jacquet.

Les Bleus had 18 shots, seven on target, and Désiré Doué hit the crossbar. Mark van Bommel’s Belgium rarely threatened until late, when Dodi Lukebakio forced a save from Mike Maignan.

How did Kayode do on his Italy debut?

Roberto Mancini’s Italy bounced back emphatically from Friday’s 2-0 home defeat by Belgium. Alessandro Bastoni opened the scoring in the ninth minute.

Kayode, 22, then had a hand in two goals in five minutes. His angled drive was parried into Davide Frattesi’s path for 2-0, and he fired in the third himself at the near post in the 27th minute, according to Football Italia.

Barış Alper Yılmaz pulled one back for Vincenzo Montella’s side two minutes after the break. Pio Esposito headed in Italy’s fourth soon after, sealing Mancini’s first win since returning as coach.

Why do Michael Olise and Kayode matter to Nigeria?

Both players could have worn the green and white. Olise, whose mother is French-Algerian, was also eligible for England and Algeria, and Nigeria were among the nations that approached him before he chose France.

He has explained that choice by pointing to the French stars he followed as a boy, with Zidane among them, in an interview with Highsnobiety. On Monday, that childhood hero was the man celebrating his goal.

Kayode rose through Italy’s youth teams and also said no. “Nigeria approached me but I never thought about changing national teams,” he said, in comments carried by VAVEL.

Olise is now one of Europe’s most creative forwards. At this summer’s World Cup, he set up seven goals to break Pelé’s record for assists at a single tournament, the Bundesliga reported.

The Super Eagles had a night to forget a day later. Eric Chelle’s side, fresh from the win over Madagascar, lost 3-0 to Guinea-Bissau in Bissau on Tuesday, Chelle’s first defeat as Nigeria coach, Channels TV reported. Franculino Dju, Mama Baldé and Álvaro Djaló scored.

Guinea-Bissau now lead AFCON 2027 qualifying Group L with six points, three ahead of Nigeria. With Tanzania already qualified as co-hosts, only the highest-placed of Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria and Madagascar will reach the finals, CAF said.

What happens next

France lead Group A1 with six points, three clear of Belgium and Italy, while Türkiye have none. Zidane’s side host Italy at the Stade de France on Friday 2 October at 19:45 WAT.

France then welcome Belgium on Monday 5 October, when Italy host Türkiye. Mbappé has returned to Real Madrid for treatment on his knee, AFP reported.

Nigeria missed out on both players, and the Super Eagles now have ground to make up in Group L. Monday night was a vivid reminder of the talent that got away.