Michael Olise scored a match-winning first goal for France in a 1-0 win over Norway at the UEFA European Under-21 Championships on Sunday, but suffered an injury which will rule him out of the remainder of the competition.
The winger was on hand after 57 minutes to latch onto a low ball across the box and sidefoot Les Bleuets to victory, and was later awarded Man of the Match for his overall contribution to the win.
Sadly, however, Olise had to be helped off the pitch moments later after suffering an injury while stretching for a through-ball ahead of goalkeeper Kristoffer Klaesson.
It was later confirmed that the injury will rule him out for the rest of the tournament.
Olise's first international goal arrived on the occasion of his sixth cap for France U21s, who – following a 2-1 opening-game win over Italy – require just a point against Switzerland on Wednesday (28th June) to reach the quarter-finals as group winners.
In that opening game against Italy, the Eagles' Players' Player of the Season came on in the second-half in the 64th minute for Bradley Barcola and was a threat down the right hand side, as his team saw through the win despite going down to 10 men.
Olise will now hope his team can go on to clinch the trophy in his absence.
This summer’s tournament is co-hosted by Romania and Georgia, with the initial group stage split between the two countries. There are 16 teams split across four groups, with the top two from each group advancing to the knockout stage.
At the time of Olise's injury, France top Group D amidst games against Italy, Norway and Switzerland. Should they make it through; they will face either Spain or Ukraine.
The tournament also provides three qualification spots for the 2024 Olympic Games for the top three sides. France cannot qualify as they are hosts of the 2024 Olympics and England cannot qualify either as they are participating as Team GB.
In the initial qualification for this tournament, France overcame Armenia, Faroe Islands, North Macedonia, Serbia and Ukraine. They went unbeaten and topped Group H with 26 out of a possible 30 points.
Olise played a small part in the side’s qualification campaign, featuring against the Faroe Islands. The 20-year-old has featured four times overall for the French U21 side, most recently in two friendlies back in March.
Under the stewardship of Sylvain Ripoll, Olise has featured on the right of a midfield three and out wide as a right winger. He competed for his spot in the side against the likes of Khéphren Thuram and Bradley Barcola.
He did not feature in Les Bluets’ recent participation in the recent Maurice Revello Tournament; however, the team fielded by France were all 18-years-old or younger.
All times BST - check back here for updates!
Thursday, 22nd June: France U21s 2-1 Italy U21s (Olise came on in the 64th minute)
Sunday, 25th June: Norway U21s v France U21s (Olise started and scored the match-winner in the 57th minute, but left the field injured after 65 minutes, ruling him out of the rest of the competition)
Wednesday, 28th June: Switzerland U21s v France U21s (19:45 – Olise's injury rules him out)
The matches are available to watch on UEFA TV - click here for more information.
