The French team returns to Belgium for this summit of European football. This round of 16 promises to be full of dangers for the two selections who want to show themselves in their best light after complicated group stages. The challenge: to qualify for the quarter-finals of Euro 2024. The winner will face the winner of the other round of 16 of the day between Portugal and Slovenia.
31′ Hernandez misses the target
Griezmann is once again found in the small spaces in the middle of the Belgian defense. He crosses to Hernandez who wants to put it back to the penalty spot but misses.
29′ The Belgians take possession
Tedesco players get their foot on the ball and stay in midfield to keep it. A way to take a breather after the few attacks launched.
27′ Carrasco misses
Lightning counterattack by the Belgians. Carrasco runs down the right and decides to cross before entering the area. He completely misses it.
26′ Hand in the area?
Openda bursts into the French box, crosses and finds Carrasco on the back foot. The latter volleys and hits Hernandez. The Belgians rush to the referee to ask for a handball. But the VAR signals nothing.
23′ Foul by Rabiot
New yellow card for the Blues. Adrien Rabiot is guilty of a dangerous tackle. Mr. Nyberg does not hesitate to distribute the boxes.
22′ Maignan gets a scare!!
The French goalkeeper is surprised by the trajectory of the free kick. The ball arrives at his feet, he manages to clear it reflexively.
22′ Interesting free kick for Belgium
Alone on the left side, Doku tries to enter the opponent’s area. Griezmann catches up with him and commits the foul. He is warned with a yellow card.
20′ Casteels tranquille
Tchouameni makes a cross similar to the one from Griezmann at the start of the match. He finds Mbappé but the Belgian goalkeeper is vigilant and asserts himself in the air.
19′ Rabiot tries his luck
The Belgian defense is well in place, few spaces are available for the Blues. Rabiot is forced to strike but it goes well over.
18′ The Blues continue to keep the ball
Deschamps’ players keep the ball at midfield level without being worried by the Belgian pressing. But for the moment this does not lead to clear opportunities.
14′ Carrasco in the area!
The Belgian striker makes a nice breakthrough in the French defense. He collapses but the referee doesn’t whistle anything.
14′ Tchouameni averti
The midfielder went to the referee to complain about the non-award of a corner in favour of the Blues.
13′ Griezmann’s cross
The Blues number 7 is all alone on the right of the field, he decides to make a cross at the far post. First corner for the Blues
11′ Kounde for nobody!
The right defender is well found by Griezmann behind the defense. Kounde crosses low at the penalty spot but finds no one.
10′ Solid Saliba faces Lukaku
The Red Devils striker is found on the left side close to the touchline. Saliba follows him well and clears the ball.
6′ Dangerous loss of the ball by Vertonghen
The Belgian defender throws the ball directly to Thuram who passes again. The action moves to the right but comes to nothing.
4′ Maignan vigilant
Openda is launched into the deep after a ball recovery. But the French goalkeeper is vigilant and anticipates the run of the Belgian attacker.
3′ Offside Thuram
The French team is currently struggling to keep the ball. Maignan returns the ball far to Thuram but he is offside.
1′ First French action
The Blues combine on the left, Mbappé makes his first duel with Castagne. But the action comes to nothing.
Kick-off in Düsseldorf!
It is Marcus Thuram who gives the commitment for the Blues.
Around the Marseillaise
8,000 French supporters sing in unison.
The anthem of Belgium!
The Brabançonne resounds in the stadium.
5:55 p.m. The players enter the field
The Merkur Spiel Arena is sold out. More than 50,000 spectators are present.
5:45 p.m. The match referee
It will be Glenn Nyberg on the whistle. He refereed a Champions League quarter-final three months ago. A performance marked by controversy. READ HERE.
5:40 p.m. Mbappé targeted by Belgian players?
A controversial video has been circulating on social media where a comedian and Belgian midfielder Onana were laughingly asking each other: who will tackle Mbappé in the shin? The Federation has apologized and removed the video.
5:35 p.m. Seven years ago, the memory of the Belgian seum
The last major competition between the two teams was in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The French won 1-0 in a match where the Belgians cried injustice.
5:30 p.m. The Belgians are also thinking about victory
One of the favorites of the Tour de France and former hope of the Red Devils, Remco Evenepoel, sees a big victory for the Belgians against the Blues.
5:25 p.m. France favorite of the predictions?
Philippe Montanier, former TFC coach, bet on a French victory in our columns. READ HERE.
5:05 p.m. The composition of the Blues!
Including the return of Griezmann to the team.
Paul Pogba is present in Düsseldorf
The former Blues midfielder came to greet the supporters and players before the match.
Hello everyone !
Welcome to this live commentary to follow the round of 16 of Euro 2024 between France and Belgium.
Kick-off at 6 p.m. in Düsseldorf, Germany.
