France secured a 1-0 victory over Belgium on Monday, advancing to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.
Didier Deschamps’ France is set to face either Portugal or Slovenia in the final eight following Belgium’s defender Jan Vertonghen’s accidental goal against Randal Kolo Muani with just five minutes left.
France, the clear favourites, had the audience on the edge of their seats in their last-16 match.
Their careless scoring threatened to extend the game into extra time until they managed to break through with only five minutes remaining, adding to the nail-biting tension.
Randal Kolo Muani, the substitute who became the unexpected hero, managed to score inside Belgium’s penalty area with a shot that initially went wide but was redirected by Vertonghen, who then scored it past goalkeeper Koen Casteels.
This fortunate turn of events propelled France, the 2022 World Cup runners-up, into a tie in Hamburg on Friday, keeping their hopes alive to win the European title for the third time.
France Up For Quarter Final Battles
This victory also sets the stage for an intense quarter-final match against either Portugal or Slovenia, which will be a crucial step towards their goal of winning the European title.
France has yet to score from a free kick in four matches at the tournament, with their captain Kylian Mbappe scoring once from a penalty against Poland and the other two goals coming from the opposing team’s defenders.
However, their defensive strength has been impressive, with only conceding one goal from another penalty so far.
Their defensive line was particularly effective against Romelu Lukaku and his team, leading to Belgium’s exit after what will be remembered as a letdown for them.
Both teams were seeking retribution, with Belgium looking to avenge their 1-0 loss to France in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, a defeat that still lingers six years later.
In that match, France’s Samuel Umtiti scored the only goal, leading to their eventual World Cup victory. This loss has been a bitter memory for Belgium, and they were eager to turn the tables in this match.
France, on the other hand, had a chance to prove themselves at the Euros after losing in the last 16 three years prior on penalties to Switzerland, a result that was deeply disappointing in the lead-up to their consecutive World Cup appearances.
This victory against Belgium will undoubtedly boost their morale and confidence as they head into the quarter-finals, potentially influencing their future strategies and performance.
