The French team defeated Belgium in Düsseldorf (1-0) on Tuesday in the round of 16 of Euro 2024. Against the Red Devils, the Blues once again lacked finishing skills, as they did in their group stage matches. And they finally had to rely on an own goal, as they did against Austria.
Published on: 01/07/2024 – 19:50
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This Euro 2024 round of 16 match between France and Belgium ended in Düsseldorf on Monday 1 July with a victory for the Blues (1-0). Before the happy ending, this match was in some ways a defeat for the neighbours as one team sinned by its inefficiency and the other struggled to create situations.
The neighborhood party begins at the Düsseldorf Arena, and for this match the Blues are playing in a new 4-4-2 tactical system. The two teams do not leave themselves any exploitable space during the first minutes. It is necessary to wait for a good overflow from Jules Koundé to bring a first thrill, but his back pass does not find a taker in the Belgian penalty area (12th). Shortly after, Kylian Mbappé tries a shot with his right foot which seems to be deflected by Amadou Onana… The referee whistles a goal clearance and warns Aurélien Tchouaméni for protest (14th).
The match is still locked, so the French team relies on a long-range shot from Adrien Rabiot, but it clearly misses the target (19th). In a rare offensive situation, the Belgians speed up the game with Jérémy Doku. Except that the fiery winger is stopped irregularly by Antoine Griezmann, who is cautioned (23rd). Kevin de Bruyne takes charge of the free kick, and Mike Maignan pushes the ball away with his right foot like a handball goalkeeper (24th). In the process, the Blues receive a third yellow card following a duel with Adrien Rabiot in midfield (25th). The referee easily puts his hand in his pocket during this first act.
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The Red Devils are increasingly projecting themselves into the last thirty French metres (21st and 27th) and are putting the defensive solidity of the Blues to the test. And although the match is rebalancing, it is at this moment that the French team chooses to get its first real opportunity: on a pinpoint cross from Aurélien Tchouaméni, Jules Koundé is found on the right side. The latter quickly crosses for Marcus Thuram who cuts with a header at the near post. The ball grazes Koen Casteels’ post (34th). Aurélien Tchouaméni in turn tries a shot from 25 metres (39th) then another in the Belgian penalty area (45th+1), but it ends up off target each time. Despite some interesting offensive moves on both sides, we are currently witnessing a tight match between the two neighbours.
Festival of offensive imprecision… and Vertonghen scores an own goal
After the break, the Blues went forward. Aurélien Tchouaméni, once again, was first in action. His shot, on a pass from N’Golo Kanté, was lightly touched by Wout Faes and Koen Casteels had to stretch out to deflect a ball that was about to end up just off the post into a corner (49th). In the process, Jules Koundé found Marcus Thuram again in the Belgian area, and the French striker’s header ended up again off target (51st).
Then Kylian Mbappé launched into a number on the left side before cutting back into the axis and attempting his curling shot with his right foot, just above the opposing crossbar (54th). On a cross from Jules Koundé, the French captain then lacked precision (56th). As in previous matches, the lack of efficiency of the Blues was flagrant: one shot on target out of 15 attempts since the start of the match.
The Red Devils, for their part, are on the lookout for the slightest mistake by the opposition to launch themselves into attack. Thus, when defender William Saliba loses a ball in midfield, Kevin de Bruyne quickly launches Timothy Castagne alone in depth. The Belgian right-back arms a shot against Mike Maignan, but Théo Hernandez, the comebacker, narrowly deflects the ball for a corner (61st). On the French side, the imprecision continues, and Aurélien Tchouaméni’s shot ends up off target again (64th). Romelu Lukaku is then found in the French area, but his shot is pushed away by Mike Maignan (71st).
The Blues lack offensive efficiency, so maybe it can work… with William Saliba. Author of a sequence of attacking hook-curled shot from the left, the defender sees his attempt end – also – off target (74th). Kylian Mbappé then has another opportunity to shoot in the Belgian area, but it is also off target (78th). We are now at 19 shots from the Blues for only one on target, against three shots for one on the Belgian side. Kevin de Bruyne adds one more shot on target, but Mike Maignan pushes the ball away (83rd).
We were heading towards extra time, but substitute Randall Kolo Muani decided otherwise: found in the Belgian penalty area, the French striker shot while turning. The ball was deflected by Jan Vertonghen who lobbed Koen Casteels (1-0, 85th). The “Own goal” is definitely the best scorer of this Euro.
