France vs Belgium
Watch France vs Belgium full match replay and highlights.
KICK-OFF at 16:00 (GMT) on 1st July 2024.
The referee for this match is G. Nyberg
Game played at Düsseldorf Arena
This is a match in Europe – UEFA Euro, 8Th Finals, Season 2024
France Secures Euro 2024 Quarter-Finals Spot with Thrilling Victory Over Belgium
In a nail-biting encounter, France rubber-stamped their ticket to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals with a late 1-0 victory over Belgium. This win marks their fifth successive H2H triumph against Belgium in major tournaments, underlining their dominance in recent years.
A Slow Start from Two Giants
The highly anticipated clash between two of the top three FIFA ranked nations began as a cautious affair. Despite the presence of pre-tournament Golden Boot contenders Kylian Mbappé and Romelu Lukaku, the opening stages were marked by a lack of significant action. The first real test for either goalkeeper came midway through the first half when Kevin De Bruyne’s free-kick, aided by a deflection, demanded attention from Mike Maignan.
Building Momentum
Maignan’s minor scare seemed to spark some life into the French squad. Gradually, they began to find their rhythm, with Aurélien Tchouaméni orchestrating play from midfield. One of the best chances of the first half saw a 60-yard pass from Tchouaméni land perfectly for Jules Koundé, whose cross found Marcus Thuram. Unfortunately for France, Thuram’s header went narrowly wide.
France managed only one shot on target in the first half, but they quickly equaled that tally within five minutes of the second half. Tchouaméni continued to impress, firing a 25-yard effort that forced a sharp save from Koen Casteels. Belgium, meanwhile, created sporadic opportunities, with the best coming from Yannick Carrasco, only to be denied by a heroic block from Theo Hernández.
Late Drama Decides the Game
Despite France’s increasing pressure, Belgium seemed poised to seize the moment. Kevin De Bruyne, the ideal player for such a crucial moment, unleashed a powerful shot from 20 yards, but Maignan’s brilliant save kept the scoreline level. However, it was Randal Kolo Muani who delivered the decisive blow. Twisting in the box, his shot deflected off Jan Vertonghen, wrong-footing Casteels and finding the back of the net.
Looking Ahead
With this victory, France advances to the quarter-finals, where they will face either Portugal or Slovenia on Friday evening. For Belgium, this result adds to the growing list of disappointments for their ‘Golden Generation,’ as they once again fall short at a crucial juncture.
Stay tuned for more updates on Euro 2024 as the competition heats up and the road to the final narrows.