A dramatic late goal from substitute Randal Kolo Muani sealed a 1-0 win for France over Belgium in their Euro 2024 round of 16 clash, sending Les Bleus into the quarter-finals.
The match was a tense and physical affair, with both sides struggling to create clear-cut chances until the 85th minute.
It was then that Muani’s shot deflected off a despairing Jan Vertonghen and found the back of the net, sending the French players into delirium.
Belgium had looked like they might be the ones celebrating, however, when Kevin de Bruyne broke through the midfield and forced a save from Mike Maignan.
It was their only real opportunity of the game, as France’s lack of clinical finishing had let them down time and again.
Captain Kylian Mbappe, in particular, was guilty of missing several chances that would normally be buried by the Paris Saint-Germain star.
Despite his best efforts, he couldn’t find the net and had to settle for a disappointing evening.
In the end, it was Muani who provided the heroics, and France will now face either Portugal or Slovenia in the quarter-finals.
Les Bleus will be hoping to improve their finishing in that match, but for now they will be relieved to have progressed to the last eight.
“We knew it would be a tough game,” said France coach Didier Deschamps. “Belgium are a strong team and we knew we had to be solid defensively. We created enough chances to win the game and we’re delighted to have come out on top.”
For Belgium, it’s a disappointing exit from the tournament. They had been many people’s tip to go all the way and will now have to reflect on what might have been.
“We’re very disappointed,” said Belgian coach Roberto Martinez. “We didn’t take our chances and France were clinical when it mattered most. We’ll regroup and look forward to next time.”
