France booked their place within the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 because of a last-minute aim from Jan Vertonghen on Monday as they beat Belgium 1-0 in a tense encounter in Duesseldorf. France dominated the last-16 tie however their poor ending compelled them into further time however they lastly discovered a solution to rating with 5 minutes left. Substitute Randall Kolo Muani collected the ball within the Belgian penalty space and hit a shot that was going huge however a deflection from the unlucky Vertonghen despatched it previous goalkeeper Koen Casteels. The fortunate break put the 2022 World Cup runners-up right into a last-eight tie in Hamburg on Friday as they give the impression of being set to develop into European champions for a 3rd time.
France are but to attain from open play in 4 video games on the match – captain Kylian Mbappe scored as soon as from a penalty in opposition to Poland, whereas their different two objectives got here from opposition defenders.
Nonetheless, the vital factor is that their defence could be very robust and up to now they’ve conceded just one aim, that too from a penalty.
Their again line carried out brilliantly in opposition to Romelu Lukaku and his fellow attackers and Belgium have been knocked out of what’s going to go down as a disappointing match for them.
Each these groups have been in search of revenge, in Belgium's case for a 1-0 loss to France within the 2018 World Cup semi-final, a consequence that also lingers six years later.
France, in the meantime, had a degree to show at Euro 2016 having been knocked out within the final 16 by Switzerland on penalties three years in the past, a disappointing consequence after reaching consecutive World Cup finals.
Earlier than reaching Germany, the French workforce have been thought of robust contenders to win the match, however their efficiency within the group stage was under expectations.
Mbappe's damaged nostril within the first match in opposition to Austria didn’t assist the workforce, and Antoine Griezmann's erratic kind has additionally been an issue.
Griezmann was not chosen for the ultimate group match in opposition to Poland however returned in two adjustments, additionally together with Marcus Thuram and changing wingers Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola.
In the meantime, Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco's response to his facet's disappointing group stage efficiency was stunning.
Yannick Carrasco and Lois Openda got begins in assist of Lukaku to supply as a lot offensive menace as potential, whereas captain Kevin De Bruyne performed a extra restrained function.
The expectation, at the least for neutrals, was that a lot attacking expertise would result in an open recreation filled with objectives, however the actuality was fairly totally different.
Belgium have been completely satisfied to take a seat again and include France, and didn't problem opposition goalkeeper Mike Maignan in any respect within the first half.
France had loads of the ball but typically regarded disorganised, erratic and flat, with Griezmann wanting misplaced on the precise wing.
However that they had possibilities within the first half, with Thuram lacking a header from Jules Kounde's inviting cross after the half-hour mark and Aurelien Chouameni twice hitting off-target.
Actual Madrid midfielder Choumeni then challenged Castells to beat him on aim from lengthy vary as France improved their play early within the second half.
Mbappe moved inside rapidly and took a shot which regarded prefer it may go huge.
Belgium nearly received the breakthrough after an hour when William Saliba misplaced possession and De Bruyne freed Carrasco, who was about to drag the set off when Theo Hernandez got here in and made a superb save.
Lastly, 20 minutes earlier than the top of regular time, Maignan needed to make a save to maintain out Lukaku's effort, and was known as into motion once more to cease De Bruyne.
It was changing into clear that just one aim would resolve the match and France scored within the eighty fifth minute. N'Golo Kante – I'm Not Afraid (Official Music Video) Kolo Muani handed the ball and his shot went previous Vertonghen for Les Bleus.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Subjects talked about on this article
