France advanced to the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 with a 1-0 win against rivals Belgium.
A late own goal from Jan Vertonghen was all that separated the two sides in Dusseldorf as Les Bleus just about ran out as victors.
The Red Devils shut up shop for much of the evening but were wasteful on the counter attack and head home with a whimper.
How the game unfolded
An opening period bereft of chances nearly saw Belgium sneak in front when an in-swinging Kevin De Bruyne free-kick caught goalkeeper Mike Maignan by surprise, but he reacted just in time to sweep the ball away from goal.
France’s first opening came when Jules Kounde’s cross found the head of Marcus Thuram, but his effort whistled wide.
Just before the break, Aurelien Tchouameni lashed a shot over the top from just inside the box as a frustrating first 45 minutes for France came to a close.
On the other side of half-time, Tchouameni went closer when his strike deflected off of Wout Faes and forced Koen Casteels into a low save.
The French offence continued with Kylian Mbappe skipping past three defenders and curling a strike narrowly over Casteels’ bar.
Belgium should have gone in front when William Saliba was robbed of possession and De Bruyne set through Yannick Carrasco, but he took too long to get a shot away and was denied by a last-ditch tackle from Theo Hernandez.
De Bruyne himself managed to sting the palms of Maignan with Belgium’s next meaningful attack, coming inside off the left before letting fly at the French stopper.
With only five minutes remaining, France won the tie. Patient play on the edge of the Belgium box ended with N’Golo Kante feeding Randal Kolo Muani, and his shot ricocheted off the leg of Vertonghen and past a helpless Casteels to send Les Bleus through.
GK: Mike Maignan – 6/10 – Had little to do other than save a couple of De Bruyne sighters. Quick off his line to clear imminent danger.
RB: Jules Kounde – 7/10 – Given the licence to get high up the pitch and add another body to attacks. Involved in the move leading to the winning goal.
CB: Dayot Upamecano – 6/10 – Spun by Openda early on but hardly troubled thereafter. With Saliba managed to dampen the threat of Lukaku.
CB: William Saliba – 6/10 – Likewise didn’t give Lukaku a sniff. A tad fortunate that Belgium didn’t capitalise on the instance he lost the ball in midfield.
LB: Theo Hernandez – 7/10 – The only player who was a threat at both ends. Bailed France out…
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