France booked their place in the quarter-finals of EURO 2024 after a 1-0 win over Belgium in the round of 16, thanks to a Jan Vertonghen own goal.

 

The match between France and Belgium is the most worth-watching match in the round of 16 of EURO 2024 , when both teams are championship candidates, number one seeds, and also… disappointed in the group stage because they could not win the top spot even though they did not face too difficult opponents.

While France only has 5 points, Belgium has only 4 points. However, the poor performance has raised expectations that the two teams will be like “compressed springs”, exploding in the match taking place at 11pm on July 1.

Mbappe (in white shirt) was “taken care of” very carefully by Belgian players

AFP

However, both France and Belgium chose to play very cautiously. Coach Didier Deschamps’ team dominated possession and dominated the midfield, but had many difficulties against Belgium’s crowded defense. Against an opponent who devoted almost all their energy to defense like Belgium, France controlled the game but their attack was very deadlocked.

With Kylian Mbappe and Marcus Thuram being closely marked, the creative burden fell on the French midfield, with Antoine Griezmann as the main explosive force. The midfielder wearing the number 7 shirt played aggressively, moving constantly, but did not make a significant mark on France’s ball development.

The “Gaulois Rooster” only created 2 dangerous opportunities in the first half. That was Thuram’s header that missed the goal by a hair after a cross from Jules Kounde in the 34th minute. Then in the 45+1 minute, Mbappe dribbled past 2 Belgian players and then stretched to pass back. However, when the space opened up, Aurelien Tchouameni shot too hard and sent the ball over the bar.

Belgium defends tightly

AFP

After a dominant first half with 9 shots (Belgium did not shoot at all), France continued to control the game in the second half.

The number of opportunities for coach Deschamsp’s students is increasing, especially when Mbappe really finds his form again. The star wearing the number 10 shirt continuously stirs up the right wing of Belgium to open up opportunities, but Tchouameni, Griezmann, Thuram and Mbappe himself all regrettably missed.

As for Belgium, coach Domenico Tedesco’s team sat very deep to defend. It was not until the 71st minute that Belgium had their first shot. Romelu Lukaku broke free and shot diagonally, but goalkeeper Mike Magnan pushed the ball away to save the danger. In the 82nd minute, Kevin de Bruyne suddenly had space in front of the penalty area after a quick build-up by Belgium. The Man City midfielder tried his luck, but once again Maignan was the winner.

Bitterly for Belgium, when they were in a good position, the “Red Devils” conceded a goal. In the 85th minute, N’Golo Kante passed the ball to Randal Kolo Muani. The young French striker turned and shot, which hit Jan Vertonghen’s foot and changed direction, sending the ball straight into the Belgian net.

At this point, Belgium launched an attack, but it was too late. France played bravely to keep the final score at 1-0, thus becoming the next representative to participate in the quarter-finals of EURO 2024. Mbappe and his teammates will be the winner of the match between Portugal and Slovenia.