Mathieu Warnier, Media365: published on Monday July 1, 2024 at 8:50 p.m.
Discover our tops and flops following the victory of the Blues against Belgium (1-0) on the pitch of the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Düsseldorf as part of the round of 16 of Euro 2024.
The tops
Hernandez and Koundé at the meeting
If the Belgian attack seemed to disappear, it was largely thanks to the undermining work of Théo Hernandez and Jules Koundé on the wings. Very tough in the duels, the two French full-backs also knew how to contribute in attack in a system that opened up a lot of space for them. They were involved in the goal that gave the French team victory and a ticket to the quarter-finals.
Maignan once again giant
It has been a constant since the start of the Euro, the Blues can count on a great Mike Maignan. If the Belgians have very rarely put the French rearguard in danger, the AC Milan goalkeeper knew how to intervene when necessary to prevent the “Red Devils” from opening the score. Three times, “Magic Mike” took the ball out of the frame, reassuring his defense.
Tchouaméni struggled
In a midfield recomposed to adapt to a diamond system, Aurélien Tchouaméni was at the forefront. Aggressive in duels, present in recovery and capable of cutting the Belgian passing lines, the Real Madrid player was a poison. He also dared to take his chances from long distance, even though he was not very successful.
The flops
Rabiot, one mistake too many
Adrien Rabiot was warned. With a yellow card received earlier in the competition, the French midfielder was under threat of a suspension for the quarter-finals. However, if he only committed one foul in this match, on Jérémy Doku in the 24th minute, it was synonymous with a warning. The former Parisian will therefore miss the next meeting of the Blues, forcing Didier Deschamps to revise his copy.
Vertonghem weighs down Belgium
It wasn’t Jan Vertonghen’s night. While the Belgian defense didn’t shine particularly well against the French team, the Anderlecht player will remain the one who committed the irreparable. On a shot from Randal Kolo Muani that didn’t seem to hit the target, he deflected the ball and beat the unfortunate Koen Casteels five minutes from the end of regulation time. Too late to have a massive reaction to change the situation in this round of 16.
The Marseillaise is booed loudly by Belgian supporters
The question was asked before the match, the answer came quickly. Belgian supporters have a grudge against the Blues. This materialized with a bang this Monday in Düsseldorf when, from the first notes of “La Marseillaise”, boos fell from the stands of the stadium and came from some 6000 supporters of the “Red Devils” who had made the trip.
