Published on July 1, 2024 at 8:27 p.m. / Modified on July 1, 2024 at 9:21 p.m.
Of all the round of 16 matches, France-Belgium was the one from which the least was expected in terms of play. And no one was disappointed. Between two teams more confident in their defense than their attack, nothing happened for 85 minutes. Possession but no risk-taking, shots but few on target (2 out of 5 on the Belgian side, 2 out of 19 on the French side) and nothing really dangerous. As we were heading towards extra time, France made the decision on a stroke of fate: N’Golo Kanté served Randal Kolo Muani in the penalty area, the PSG striker controlled and shot on a pivot from a tight angle but the ball was deflected by the knee of defender Jan Vertonghen, giving it a trajectory that fooled goalkeeper Koen Casteels (85th 1-0). Two minutes earlier, Kevin De Bruyne saw his shot pushed away by goalkeeper Mike Maignan on Belgium’s best chance.
UEFA having finally awarded an own goal, this is the second time in this Euro that the French team has won on an autogoal, after Austria, already in Düsseldorf. The only other French success in four matches was a penalty converted by Kylian Mbappé. In the 4-4-2 diamond desired by Didier Deschamps, but which often resembled a 4-3-3 with Antoine Griezmann as a right winger, the star of the Blues was little seen. His capture of two or three by the Belgian defense freed up spaces on the right side, where the full-back Jules Koundé had attacking spaces which he rarely took advantage of.
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