Jan Vertonghen’s 85th minute own-goal saw France scrape past Belgium 1-0 to reach UEFA Euro 2024 Quarter-Finals.
Vertonghen deflected Randal Kolo Muani’s shot into his own net to send Belgium crashing out of the tournament, and France deservedly through in a game which lacked much quality.
France now await Portugal in Hamburg on Friday 5 July in the second Quarter-Final at 9pm CEST (8pm UK Time), after the Portuguese beat Slovenia 3-0 on penalties after a goalless draw.
With neither France nor Belgium having lit up the group stage, it wasn’t surprising that the start proved tepid aside from a tame tenth minute shot by Antoine Griezmann as France enjoyed early dominance.
Kylian Mbappe then fired wide from a short 14th minute corner as France continued to lack their cutting edge, whilst Marcus Thuram nodded wide three minutes later.
Belgium quietly grew into the first half but almost took a 23rd minute lead if not for Mike Maignan’s scrappy save of Kevin De Bruyne’s free-kick, following a foul on Jeremy Doku by Griezmann.
Theo Hernandez and Thuram saw further shots denied as France continued to press with no luck, despite getting away with an alleged handball by Hernandez against Yannick Carrasco’s 26th minute shot.
Both teams reached half-time goalless after Aurelién Tchouameni put a cutback pass over the bar for France on the cusp of the break.
There was little improvement in the second half amidst continued French dominance, as Tchouameni saw a 49th minute shot saved before Thuram nodded a recycled cross from a corner clearance over, followed by Mbappe firing wide in the space of five minutes.
Belgium however continued to pose a threat and Hernandez was force to clear the ball behind from Carrasco on a 61st minute counter, with Lois Openda’s subsequent shot put wide.
Griezmann and Tchouameni then failed to find the target as both teams toiled with little end product quality, which even extended to a long-range shot from France defender, William Saliba which flew wide.
De Bruyne almost won the game for Belgium with a 83rd minute counter-attack which forced a crucial save from Maignan.
France ultimately punished Belgium for that chance two minutes later with a clinical late winner as substitute, Kolo Muani picked up a pass and fired in via a deflection from Vertonghen.
Belgium attempted to fight back and force extra time but France held on to reach the Quarter-Finals, where Portugal await in a blockbuster repeat of the Euro 2016 Final.
Teams
France – Mike Maignan, Theo Hernandez, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, Jules Kounde, Adrien Rabiot, Aurelién Tchouameni, N’Golo Kante, Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe, Marcus Thuram (Kolo Muani 62′)
Substitutes: Alphonse Areola, Bradley Barcola, Eduardo Camavinga, Jonathan Clauss, Kingsley Coman, Ousmane Dembele Youssouf Fofana, Olivier Giroud, Randal Kolo Muani, Ibrahima Konate, Ferland Mendy, Benjamin Pavard, Brice Samba, Warren Zaire-Emery,
Belgium – Koen Casteels, Arthur Theate, Jan Vertonghen, Wout Faes, Timothy Castagne (De Ketelaere 88′), Yannick Carrasco (Lukebakio 88′), Amadou Onana, Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku, Romelu Lukaku, Lois Openda (Mangala 63′)
Substitutes: Johan Bakayoko, Maxim De Cuyper, Charles De Ketelaere, Zeno Debast, Thomas Kaminski, Axel Witsel, Dodi Lukebakio, Orel Mangala, Matz Sels, Youri Tielemans, Leandro Trossard, Arthur Vermeeren, Aster Vranckx
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