Euro 2024: France-Belgium in the round of 16, with fond memories of 2018

Like a sense of deja vu. Second in Group D since its disappointing draw against Poland (1-1), the French team was awaiting the name of its opponent in the round of 16 this Wednesday. This is Belgium, held by Ukraine (0-0) and second in group E. A duel between neighbors (Monday July 1 at 6 p.m. on TF1, TF1+ and live commentary on TF1info) for a place in the quarterfinals final… which brings back good memories for Didier Deschamps’ men.

Umtiti’s head in 2018…

Remember, in 2018, Belgians and French had already faced each other in the semi-final of the World Cup, in Russia. The Blues won by the smallest of margins (1-0) thanks to a header from Samuel Umtiti, at the end of a match which left the Red Devils with big regrets. And for good reason, the Belgians had largely dominated the statistical table, starting with ball possession (60% against 40% for France) and the number of successful passes (630 against 342).

In front of the microphones, at the end of the meeting, the Belgians did not hide their frustration. Starting with Thibaut Courtois, whose French supporters then had fun with his “seum”. “France played nothing, played defense with eleven players 40 meters from their goal”had railed the Belgian doorman to RTBF. “We lost against a team that plays nothing, that defends. It’s football, everyone plays with their qualities. But it’s a shame for football that Belgium didn’t win today.”

…before the 2021 “comeback”

Since then, both teams have changed a lot. Thibaut Courtois is no longer there, neither is Samuel Umtiti. Among the 25 players selected by Didier Deschamps, only seven were in the game in 2018. There were a little more in October 2021, during the Nations League semi-final. In Italy, Belgium had the opportunity to take revenge on France for a place in the final of the second edition of this competition. It started well: at the break, the Red Devils were well on their way to dismissing the Blues (2-0).

This was without taking into account the reaction of the Tricolores. Shortly after the hour mark, Karim Benzema sounded the revolt (2-1, 62′) followed by Kylian Mbappé from the penalty spot (2-2, 69′). At the end of the suspense, it was Théo Hernandez, with a heavy strike, who definitively sank Belgium (2-3, 90′) and further established French domination over the Belgians. A spectacular comeback, which (again) left the Red Devils with regrets. “The second half was played on emotions”declared the Belgian coach of the moment, Roberto Martinez. “We stopped playing. We felt, I think, a responsibility towards our supporters. The emotional parameter was too great.”

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Since then, French and Belgians have not crossed paths again. Almost an anomaly: Belgium is the opponent that France has faced most often in its history. The results are slightly to the advantage of the Red Devils, with 30 successes, compared to 25 for the French. However, in major competitions, the total is completely reversed. According to Opta, the Blues have won their four matches against Belgium in both the World Cup and the Euro.

But let the loser of this round of 16 be reassured. As these two teams never leave each other, they will have the opportunity to (already) take their revenge in the fall, during the group stage of the Nations League. It will be in Lyon, on September 9, then in Brussels, on October 14. By then, one of these two selections will have (at least) played a Euro quarter-final.