Dembélé, ghost captain, sees his starting spot threatened by Belgium
Again captain in the absence of Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé drifted through the match against Belgium at the Stade de France like a ghost, unable to live up to his Ballon d’Or 2025 status, with 22 balls lost and no shot on target.
Overwhelming statistics
Deployed on the right wing after an already dull performance against Italy, the Parisian striker delivered another insipid copy. From the first minute, a completely wayward shot landed in the stands, signalling a bleak evening for the Île-de-France crowd. Despite a few timid chances created for Akliouche and Lepaul in the 9th, 33rd and 59th minutes, the Parisian displayed a glaring lack of accuracy.
The numbers speak for themselves: 22 balls lost, only one successful dribble out of six attempts and none of his five shots found the target. This inefficiency directly led to the Belgian opening the scoring in the 35th minute, following a loss of possession by Dembélé.
L’Équipe gave Dembélé a rating of 3/10, highlighting that he “too often missed something”. Le Parisien and Le Figaro shared the same view, describing his performance as a “disappointing copy” and a “dull first half”. None of his few shots were decisive.
Olise lights up the Blues while Mbappé and Dembélé fade
Zinedine Zidane, at the press conference, tried to shield his player by stating he had “not much to reproach him for”. This defence was not enough to ease the growing pressure around the Frenchman.
Decisive substitution and consequences
Substituted at the half‑hour mark, Dembélé saw Michael Olise take over under the whistles of the Île-de-France crowd. The Bavarian immediately turned the situation around with an assist for Rayan Cherki in the 80th minute, followed by a brilliant brace in the 87th and 90+1 minutes.
An emotional scene at the Stade de France between Zidane and Jacquet
While Olise brings punch, creativity and efficiency to every appearance, the pressure mounts on Ousmane Dembélé. Unable to regain his influence under the blue shirt, the Parisian sees his starting spot more than ever threatened by now dazzling competition.