France vs Belgium: The France national team qualified for the quarterfinals of Euro 2024 after former Tottenham and Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen scored an own goal.
Both teams were aspiring to qualify for the next round of the tournament even though their performances were not convincing.
Real Madrid attacker Aurélien Tchouaméni forced the Belgium goalkeeper into saves in both halves of the game. Another French player who was close to scoring a goal was Marcus Thuram.
Atletico Madrid attacker Antoine Griezmann was close to scoring, but the majority of his attempts went wide. The French side were the better team, but they had just two shots on target.
Kevin De Bruyne impressively dominated the midfield, but the Belgium attackers disappointed him in the tournament, with Romelu Lukaku being the only player to force France goalkeeper Mike Maignan into a save.
How France Defeated Belgium in the Round of 16 of the Euro 2024
The first shot on target came in the 10th minute of the game, with Griezmann’s attempt going directly to Belgian goalkeeper Casteels.
Kevin De Bruyne’s free kick forced French goalkeeper Maignan into a save in the 24th minute of the game.
In the 32nd minute of the game, the French team dominated in the Belgium national team area, with Lucas Hernandez trying a shot from a distance that went wide.
A few minutes later, the French side came close to scoring a goal, but Thuram’s header wasn’t directed to the goalpost.
In the 49th minute of the game, Belgium goalkeeper Casteels was forced into a save by Real Madrid defensive midfielder Tchouameni, who bent the ball to the bottom corner.
Thuram continued from where he stopped in the first half with a beautiful header which went over the goalpost. France got another shot off target in the 54th minute of the game through Kylian Mbappe.
Griezmann hit a beautiful shot from the edge of the 18-yard box, but it was not enough to go past Belgium goalkeeper Casteels.
France goalkeeper Maignan was forced into a save by Romelu Lukaku, who was silent for most parts of the game.
In the 78th minute of the game, Mbappe had a beautiful chance, but he blasted the ball over the crossbar.
In the 85th minute of the game, Kante created a chance for Kolo Muani, whose shot got deflected into the goal post by Vertonghen feet. It was a horrible moment for Belgium, which was poor for the own goal.
Who Won The Man Of The Match?
Barcelona defender Jules Kounde won the award for the man of the match. He was exceptional in tracking back when the Belgium national team attack.
Also, he contributed immensely to the attack with majority of his crosses getting to France attackers in the 18 yard box.
What Next For France And Belgium?
The France national team will wait for the outcome of the match between Portugal and Slovenia to know their next opponent in the quarterfinals of the tournament.
The Belgium national team will play against the Israel national team in the Nations League on September 6, 2024, at 7:45 p.m. The Belgian side are expected to defeat the Israel national team.
