France made it through to the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Belgium.
Randal Kolo Muani’s effort in the 85th minute deflected in off Jan Vertonghen, which proved to be the difference between the two teams.
Although it wasn’t an enthralling encounter, France took another major step forwards.
France will now take on either Portugal or Slovenia in the quarter-finals.
Mail Sport’s Tom Collomosse assesses how both sets of players performed.
Mike Maignan was at his sharpest to keep France in it as Les Bleus overcame Belgium
Randal Kolo Muani’s effort deflected in off Jan Vertonghen to give France the lead late on
France (4-3-3)
MIKE MAIGNAN 7.5
Almost embarrassed by a De Bruyne free-kick tha the managed to scramble away with his feet and made a sharp save at his near post from Lukaku’s deflected strike – and then an even better one to keep out De Bruyne again.
JULES KOUNDE 7
An effective outlet for France as an overlapping right-back but looked shaky when he had to face Doku. Like the battle between Hernandez and Carrasco on the French left, this was another absorbing tussle between two strong players
DAYOT UPAMECANO 6.5
Belgium’s wait-and-see tactics left him with little to do though he had an uncomfortable moment when he was spun by Openda. Was probably pleased it was Openda, rather than Lukaku, who was taken off.
WILLIAM SALIBA 7
His pace and astute positional sense allowed France to play high up the pitch though he was nearly punished for taking one too many risks in possession. Like his partner, though, he had few problems against Lukaku.
William Saliba’s pace and astute positional sense allowed France to play high up the pitch
THEO HERNANDEZ 7
Tried to support the attack down the left and had a good battle with Carrasco, including a brilliant recovery challenge to deny the winger on the hour. A strong performance from the AC Milan man.
NGOLO KANTE 6.5
On the right of a three-man midfield, the former Chelsea midfielder was typically active in both phases of the game and was always on hand when his country needed him.
AURELIEN TCHOUAMENI 7
Should have put France ahead after great work by Mbappe and was then denied by a fine save by Casteels from his deflected strike. Controlled the pace well in the centre and made incisive raids forward.
ADRIEN RABIOT 6
Booked in the first half for going through Doku and should have done more on the ball though did well to block a shot from Carrasco.
ANTOINE GRIEZMANN 6.5
Drifted off the right and played typically clever passes while lending a hand in defence. Booked for a trip on Doku. Not his best game but still made a valuable contribution to the win.
Antoine Griezmann drifted off the right and played typically clever passes
MARCUS THURAM 5.5
Started through the middle with Mbappe wide and wasted two good headed chances from Kounde crosses. Replaced after an hour by Kolo Muani
KYLIAN MBAPPE 7
He might be wearing a mask but there is no disguising his quality. One burst brought a chance for Tchouameni, another ended with a curling shot that passed just over the bar. Should have hit the arget from an even better position as time ticked away.
Kylian Mbappe’s quality was evident again and he had some dangerous moments
SUBS
RANDAL KOLO MUANI 6.5
A direct replacement for Thuram through the middle but a different kind of striker who tried to cause the Belgian centre-backs problems with his constant movement. Luck was on his side when his mishit strike clipped Vertonghen and flew past Casteels to settle the tie.
Belgium (4-4-2)
KOEN CASTEELS 7.5
Looked calm and confident and made a fine save from Tchouameni’s deflected strike early in the second half. Desperately unlucky to concede the goal from Kolo Muani which took a huge deflection off Vertonghen.
TIMOTHY CASTAGNE 6
One of the trickiest tasks in world football is to mark Mbappe and though Castagne stuck to his task very well, he was twice exposed by the France skipper.
WOUT FAES 7
Belgium’s decision to defend deep meant his lack of pace was rarely exposed and he made some important interceptions when France threatened to get round the back.
JAN VERTONGHEN 6.5
The 37-year-old was getting by on experience and did what he had to do effectively, and had an entertaining rant at Mbappe when his opponent tumbled in search of a penalty. Booked.
Jan Vertonghen was getting by on experience but ended up scoring a costly own goal
ARTHUR THEATE 6.5
Had to keep an eye on both Griezmann and Kounde, who loves to roam forward from right-back, and did both tasks competently though offered next to nothing going forward.
YANNICK CARRASCO 6.5
Engaging duel with Hernandez up and down the Belgium right flank. Had one effort well blocked by Rabiot and was a fraction too late with another, allowing Hernandez to race back and block.
AMADOU ONANA 6.5
Held his position well though with Belgium outnumbered in the middle, there was little chance for him break forward and help out his forwards.
KEVIN DE BRUYNE 6.5
Unfamiliar role as a central midfielder in a 4-4-2 for the first hour, until Tedesco reshuffled and pushed his main man closer to Lukaku. Still at the heart of Belgium’s best moments and drew a fine stop from Maignan in the closing stages.
Kevin De Bruyne improved following a tactical switch as he moved closer to Romelu Lukaku
JEREMY DOKU 7.5
A fine sight in full flight and when Belgium found him in advanced positions, he had Kounde and Griezmann back-pedalling – and though he drifted in and out of the game, France always had to be wary of the Manchester City man.
LOIS OPENDA 5.5
One turn and cross was all he managed in the first half but he still did more than Lukaku while on the pitch. Replaced by Mangala midway through the second half as Belgium pushed De Bruyne further forward.
ROMELU LUKAKU 4
Even though he was isolated, the centre-forward still delivered a dreadful display. Barely troubled the France centre-backs and thrashed his first chance too close to Maignan when he could have squared. Apparently unsubbable, though.
It was a dreadful display from Romelu Lukaku as Belgium were knocked out of the tournament
SUBS
OREL MANGALA 6
Clever pass to Lukaku should have brought more than a hit-and-hope thrash towards Maignan that was relatively easy to stop. Booked for a late foul on Kolo Muani.
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