France beat Belgium to reach Euro 2024 quarter-finals

France reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 yesterday after winning 1-0 in a tight contest with Belgium in Duesseldorf. A game that had lacked quality and excitement for large periods looked destined for extra time, but a shot by substitute Randal Kolo Muani deflected off Vertonghen with five minutes remaining to seal the victory at […]

France reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 yesterday after winning 1-0 in a tight contest with Belgium in Duesseldorf.

A game that had lacked quality and excitement for large periods looked destined for extra time, but a shot by substitute Randal Kolo Muani deflected off Vertonghen with five minutes remaining to seal the victory at Dusseldorf Arena as they remain on course to become European champions for the third time. France are yet to score from open play in four matches at the tournament – captain Kylian Mbappe netted once from a penalty against Poland, while their other two goals came from opposition defenders.

Crucially, however, they are rock solid in defence, having conceded only one goal, from a penalty, so far. Their back line was outstanding against Romelu Lukaku and his fellow attackers,

France had missed several chances before that as once again their lack of a cutting edge let them down, and even captain Kylian Mbappe put efforts he would normally finish wide.

Belgium could even have taken the lead themselves before France’s late goal as Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne charged into space through the middle, but his shot was pushed behind by Mike Maignan.

That had been the below-par Belgians only decent opportunity as France closed out the final few minutes to progress to the last eight.