The selection of France qualified this Monday for the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 with a rebound goal by Jan Verthonghen into his own goal after a shot that went wide by Randal Kolo Muani in the 85th minute from a duel in which he needed two saves from Mike Maignan before to stay alive (1-0).
Didier Deschamps’s team were better on points and they were able to break down the Belgian wall in the final stretch of the match, although they had a greater number of chances. Belgium showed a very flat approach, without the ability to react after the goal against in the 85th minute, which did generate euphoria in a French team that still cannot find the expected brilliance, with Kylian Mbappé far from his best version.
His rival in that round will be winner of Portugal-Slovenia which takes place this Monday night.
Data sheet:
1 – France: Maignan; Koundé, Upamecano, Saliba, Theo Hernández; Kanté, Tchouameni, Rabiot; Griezmann; Marcus Thuram (Kolo Muani, d. 62), Mbappé.
0 – Belgium: Castles; Castagne (De Keteleare, m. 88), Faes, Verthonghen, Theate; Carrasco (Lukebakio, d. 88), Onana, De Bruyne, Doku; Openda (Mangala, d. 64), Lukaku.
Goal: 1-0, m. 85: Verthonghen, own goal.
Referee: Glenn Nyberg (Sweden). He yellow carded the Frenchmen Tchouameni (m. 15), Griezmann (m. 23) and Rabiot (m. 24) and the Belgian Vertonghen (m. 75).
Source: Eitb
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