After a tense encounter in Dusseldorf, France edge their way past Belgium and into the quarter-finals of Euro 2024.
Having both underwhelmed en route to the knockout phase, neither was able to find a breakthrough until Randal Kolo Muani‘s late shot struck Jan Vertonghen and found the back of the Belgian net.
While the Red Devils must contemplate another major tournament disappointment, Les Bleus will meet either Portugal or Slovenia in the next round – with Spain or hosts Germany potential opponents in the semis.
You can relive Sports Mole‘s live minute-by-minute commentary of the action below.
France have yet to convince at these finals, but they’ve conceded just once in their last five matches ahead of today’s knockout contest.
Meanwhile, Belgium have recorded eight clean sheets in their last 12 European Championship matches; and the Red Devils have recently lost only one of their last 18 in all competitions – to Slovakia two weeks ago.
Does that mean a close-fought encounter is on the cards? We shall see!
SUBS: Samba, Pavard, Mendy, Camavinga, Giroud, Dembele, Kolo Muani, Zaire-Emery, Fofana, Coman, Clauss, Areola, Konate, Barcola.
SUBS: Debast, Witsel, Tielemans, Trossard, Kaminski, Sels, Lukebakio, Vranckx, De Ketelaere, Mangala, Bakayoko, Vermeeren, De Cuyper.
Rom 💪#EURO2024 | #FRABEL pic.twitter.com/850arEUA02 — UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 1, 2024
🍟🤔#EURO2024 | #FRABEL pic.twitter.com/ER1PIsnTSf — UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 1, 2024
Meanwhile, Belgium will merely be glad that they remain on level terms, having failed to lay a glove on Les Bleus thus far – despite fielding several of their best forwards.
Indeed, Belgium have done the same…..So is it too early to call extra time and penalties?
Paul Pogba is at the Düsseldorf Arena 🇫🇷
Watch 📲 https://t.co/Pg4hdfopOj#EURO2024 #OptusSport pic.twitter.com/poT023Ts5P — Optus Sport (@OptusSport) July 1, 2024
Belgium bow out, but they put on a meek performance and didn’t really merit going any further.
Les Bleus were wasteful again – and are yet to score via any method other than own goals or penalties at this tournament – but they certainly won’t care.
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