France-Belgium (1-0): an incredible clumsiness, a historic Kanté… The figures of the 8th of the Blues

France is in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024, and that’s all we’ll remember. After an ultra-strenuous victory against a powerless Belgium, Didier Deschamps’ men secured the essentials (1-0) and will challenge the winner of Portugal-Slovenia. But they will have to do much better than against the Red Devils against whom the Blues once again seriously failed in their finishing.

0

Belgium has never won against France in a major tournament (World Cup and Euro combined) in five matches played. The last clash between the two teams in a major competition ended with the same score in the semi-final of the 2018 World Cup (1-0).

Didier Deschamps’ men conceded just one shot against Belgium in the first half, their lowest total in a major tournament (World Cup and Euro combined) since the 2006 World Cup. The Red Devils finished the match with five attempts, including two on target from Lukaku and De Bruyne, well blocked by Mike Maignan, who was impeccable in goal.

2

The number of own goals scored by the Blues since the start of this competition. Only Kylian Mbappé has scored a goal for France (on a penalty against Poland) in four games. Otherwise, the Blues have always needed a stroke of luck from Maximilian Wober, first against Austria (1-0) and then from Jan Vertonghen this Monday against Belgium. In its history, France is the team that has benefited from the most own goals (5) in the history of the Euro.

3

Les Bleus were cautioned three times in the first 24 minutes of the match while remaining very disciplined throughout the match (7 fouls). Aurélien Tchouaméni for a challenge, Antoine Griezmann and Adrien Rabiot each received a yellow card less than ten minutes apart. The Juventus midfielder will also be suspended for the quarter-final in France scheduled for this Friday at 9 p.m.

19

The French team has not lost any of the last nineteen matches in which N’Golo Kanté has participated in major competitions. The French midfielder has achieved the longest unbeaten run for a European player in the history of major tournaments (Euro and World Cup combined).

20

The number of shots attempted by the French team for only one on target. Les Bleus tried their luck twelve times in the second half without ever finding the target. Even Randal Kolo Muani’s shot for the only goal of the match was off target, and was therefore awarded to Jan Vertonghen (own goal).