France edged out a determined Belgium side 1-0 on Monday night to book their place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024. A late strike from substitute Randal Kolo Muani in the 85th minute proved to be the difference at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Düsseldorf, sending Les Bleus through and leaving the Red Devils heartbroken.
Tentative First Half Fails to Ignite
The opening 45 minutes offered little in the way of clear-cut chances. Both teams adopted a cautious approach, with France struggling to break down a resolute Belgian defense marshalled by the ever-reliable Jan Vertonghen. Kylian Mbappé, France’s talisman, was tightly marked by Timothy Castagne and Toby Alderweireld, leaving Antoine Griezmann and Kingsley Coman isolated in attack. The Belgians, on the other hand, lacked the creative spark of Kevin De Bruyne, who was subdued throughout the half.
Second Half Heats Up, France Pushes for Breakthrough
The second half saw a shift in momentum as France upped the tempo. Mbappé began to find pockets of space, forcing a strong save from Thibaut Courtois in the Belgian goal. Didier Deschamps, the French manager, introduced Olivier Giroud for the ineffective Karim Benzema just after the hour mark, hoping to add a physical presence in the box. The substitution paid dividends as Giroud’s aerial prowess created more problems for the Belgian backline.
Late Drama: Kolo Muani Steals the Show
With the game seemingly destined for a goalless draw, Deschamps made a masterstroke by bringing on the young and pacy Randal Kolo Eintracht Frankfurt forward Randal Kolo Muani in the 80th minute. The gamble paid off spectacularly just five minutes later. Theo Hernandez, lively throughout the second half, whipped in a dangerous cross from the left flank. The towering Giroud flicked the ball on with his head, finding Kolo Muani unmarked at the back post. The substitute striker showed remarkable composure, volleying the ball past a helpless Courtois to send the French contingent in the stadium into raptures.
Belgium’s Golden Generation Falls Short Again
The goal left Belgium with little time to respond. Roberto Martinez’s side threw everything at France in the closing stages, but the resolute French defense held firm. The final whistle blew, sending the Belgians crashing out of the tournament, leaving their golden generation with another near miss on the international stage.
Deschamps Praises Resilience and Depth
Didier Deschamps, visibly relieved after a tense encounter, lauded his team’s fighting spirit and the impact of his substitutes. “It was a difficult game, but we showed great character and determination,” he said. “The introduction of Olivier Giroud and Randal Kolo Muani made a big difference. This squad possesses tremendous depth, and everyone is ready to contribute.”
France Marches On: Redemption or Repeat of 2018?
France now sets their sights on a place in the semi-finals. Their next opponent will be determined by the outcome of the clash between Italy and Portugal later this week. The victory over Belgium serves as a reminder of France’s potential, but also highlights their vulnerability against well-organized defensive teams. Can Les Bleus learn from the mistakes of the 2018 World Cup final and go all the way this time around? Only time will tell.
Disappointment for Belgium: Time to Rebuild?
For Belgium, the Euro 2024 campaign ends in disappointment. The aging core of their golden generation, including De Bruyne, Hazard, and Vertonghen, may have played their last major international tournament. The onus now falls on Roberto Martinez and the Belgian FA to usher in a new era of talent and ensure a smooth transition for the future.
France’s win over Belgium was a tactical battle ultimately decided by a moment of brilliance. The result leaves the tournament wide open, with several contenders still vying for the coveted Euro 2024 trophy.
