After just over an hour, both France’s Didier Deschamps and Belgium’s Domenico Tedesco brought new players into the game. While Randal Kolo Muani was supposed to liven up the French attack, the Belgians brought on a midfielder, Orel Mangala, to replace striker Loïs Openda.
But not because the Belgians had a lead to defend. Instead, they seemed to be focused on heading into extra time with the 0-0 scoreline that they had managed to hold up to that point. But that plan went awry. The French offensive efforts increased more and more, while the few counterattack attempts fizzled out without success.
Own goal provoked
The decision was only made 5 minutes before the final whistle. Kolo Muani was played in the penalty area, turned and shot towards goal. Jan Vertonghen deflected the ball decisively – 1:0 for France. The 20th attempt finally brought success, with a bit of luck. However, many of these attempts were not made with enough accuracy. The ball only went towards the goal twice, and once it went in.
The vice-world champions benefited from an own goal for the second time in this tournament, as well as a converted penalty by Kylian Mbappé. For an offense blessed with so much talent, this is surprisingly little penetration.
Defense in the foreground
The French team’s lack of offensive strength could also be due to their fundamentally defensive approach. They avoided attacking, especially in the first half. It was only after the break that the “Équipe Tricolore” improved and became more creative in order to break through the compact Belgian defense – which they managed to do thanks to Kolo Muani.
In the Belgian attack, the exceptional players Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku tried to at least create some goal threat. De Bruyne failed with a free kick in the first half and with a shot shortly before the French goal. Lukaku remained largely invisible, apart from a missed chance in the 70th minute.
This is how it continues
In the quarter-finals, France will face either Portugal or Slovenia. The match will take place next Friday at 9 p.m. in Hamburg.
