France have qualified for the quarter finals of Euro 2024, defeating Belgium 1-0 in their Round of 16 clash. An own goal from Jan Vertonghen proved to be the difference maker, with Randal Kolo Muani’s shot taking a huge deflection off the defender.
Koen Casteels had no chance to save the deflected effort late in the game, as he was sent in the wrong direction. And in spite of a spirited performance from the Belgians, they came up short by the finest of margins.
France qualify for Euro 2024 quarter finals
France have not lost any of their 19 games at major international tournaments when N'Golo Kanté has played, the longest unbeaten streak by any European player:
— Squawka (@Squawka) July 1, 2024
WWWWWWDWWWWWDDDWDDW
No wonder Didier Deschamps got him back. 😀#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/ZirHON0pO3
Kylian Mbappe was far from clinical in front of goal, with the Real Madrid striker failing to hit the target time and time again. In spite of showing incredible skill to get himself in the right positions, the end product lacked the quality we’ve grown accustomed to seeing from a player of his calibre.
Belgium had very few chances at the other end, too. The best opportunity of the game fell to captain Kevin De Bruyne, whose effort was parried away by Mike Maignan shortly before they conceded.
And in the end, it just wasn’t meant to be for the Red Devils, as they exit the tournament in the last 16 stage. France, on the other hand, will face either Portugal or Slovenia in the quarter finals of the Euros.
Which are the other QFs in the Euros?
England vs Switzerland, Spain vs Germany