Michael Olise breaks France’s unbelievable 17-year barren run | OneFootball

Expectations were high when Michael Olise (23) integrated the France set-up in September 2024 but until last night, those expectations were not met. That changed against Croatia as the Bayern Munich forward got a goal and assist, helping Les Bleus qualify for the final four of the UEFA Nations League and bringing an end to an unwanted record that lasted over 17 years.

It was Olise’s free-kick that allowed France to halve the deficit against Croatia, who took a 2-0 lead to the Stade de France. The goal, which came in the 52nd minute, was the first that France have scored directly from a free-kick since Paul Pogba in March 2018, against Russia.

Pogba’s goal came in a friendly and to find the last time that Les Bleus scored directly from a free-kick in a competitive match, one must go all the way back to October 2007, when Jérôme Rothen did so against the Faroe Islands in a qualifier for the 2008 Euros. Olise’s goal therefore brought an end to an unwanted streak that dated back almost 18 years.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle