In a match marked by its tight nature and a dramatic finish, France edged past Belgium 1-0 on Monday to secure a place in the Euro 2024 quarterfinals.
The decisive moment came with just five minutes left in regular time when Randal Kolo Muani’s deflected shot found the back of the net, sending the French team through to the next stage of the tournament.
At the Düsseldorf Arena, the clash was a closely contested battle, with neither team able to assert clear dominance for much of the match.
French superstar Kylian Mbappé, still wearing a protective mask for a broken nose sustained earlier in the tournament, was frequently subdued and failed to make a major impact on the game.
The match open out in a pattern familiar to both teams’ Euro 2024 campaigns thus far: a tense and cagey affair with limited opportunities. The breakthrough came as Kolo Muani’s strike took a deflection off Belgium’s Jan Vertonghen, sealing the win for France.
Looking ahead, France will face either Portugal or Slovenia in the quarterfinals, with the outcome of their match in Frankfurt still pending.
A Game of Few Chances
France began the game with a measure of confidence, dominating possession early but failing to challenge Belgium’s goalkeeper, Koen Casteels. As the match progressed, Belgium, under the management of Domenico Tedesco, began to assert themselves, with Kevin De Bruyne’s free-kick coming close to breaking the deadlock.
France’s first real opportunity came when Marcus Thuram’s header from a Jules Koundé cross narrowly missed the target. The French side continued to press, with Aurélien Tchouaméni’s shot from inside the box sailing over the bar after a well-worked move by Mbappé.
After the break, Tchouaméni tested Casteels with a deflected effort, and Thuram had another chance with a close-range header that went over.
Mbappé showcased his speed and skill, but his powerful shot went just above the bar. Belgium’s best chance came when Yannick Carrasco was thwarted by a crucial last-ditch tackle from Theo Hernández, while Romelu Lukaku’s attempt was comfortably saved by French goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
France’s Path Forward
With this victory, France, a two-time European champion, continues their strong track record in international tournaments, having reached the final of three of the last four major competitions. They are now just three wins away from adding another prestigious trophy to their collection.
In other Euro 2024 news, UEFA announced that it will investigate England midfielder Jude Bellingham for a gesture made after scoring against Slovakia on Sunday.
Bellingham’s celebration, which appeared to mimic a provocative gesture, is under review for a potential “violation of the basic rules of decent conduct,” according to European football’s governing body.
The 21-year-old midfielder clarified on X that the gesture was meant as an inside joke with friends, emphasizing that it was not intended to offend the Slovakian team.