In what was viewed as the tie of the knockout stages, France advanced to the quarterfinals of EURO2024 at Belgium’s expense following a late own goal that was appropriate for the level of football on show in Düsseldorf.
The first half was largely uneventful with a lack of clear cut chances which will come as a surprise due to the attacking talent on display and the dominance that France showed. The superstars on both sides were unable to influence the game in the way they would have hoped and it became a tactical chess match with both sides looking for the other to slip up.
In fitting fashion for the tedious football on show, the deadlock was broken in the 85th minute by a Jan Vertonghen own goal. After patient build up play, N’Golo Kanté fired the ball into substitute Randal Kolo Muani’s feet who turned and scuffed an effort that deflected off the Belgian defender and sent Les Bleus into the quarter finals.
France
Mike Maignan – 7
After being somewhat of a bystander in the French goal for large parts of the match, Maignan produced three solid saves and ensured he claimed another clean sheet on their way to the quarter finals. The pick of the bunch was a crucial stop from a fierce De Bruyne strike a matter of minutes before France broke the deadlock. Maignan being largely uninvolved in this fixture was testament to how strong the French back four were throughout.
Jules Koundé – 8
Just as defensively astute as his French counterparts, Kounde was somewhat more impressive in the sense that he is a centre back by trade but has been putting in excellent performances at right back this tournament and today was another example of that. The Barcelona defender was unlucky not to pick up an assist today after two pinpoint crosses to Thuram were missed but he was a constant threat going forward and created problems for Belgium as he overlapped Griezmann time and time again.
William Saliba – 9
A colossal defensive performance by the centre back who came out on top in a personal battle with Romelu Lukaku. The composure and defensive assuredness the 23 year old shows when under pressure is outstanding and he has been a crucial figure in France’s three clean sheets so far this tournament. Saliba’s passing range and accuracy has also allowed France to be quicker and braver in their build up play whilst keeping a solid defensive shape.
Embed from Getty ImagesDayot Upamecano – 7
Whilst Saliba will get the majority of the plaudits after dealing with Lukaku’s threat, Upamecano was defensively solid and will have grown in confidence after a below standards domestic campaign last season. He covered Saliba well when the Arsenal defender was caught in possession and it seems Didier Deschamps has finally found his best centre back pairing at a crucial time in the tournament.
Theo Hernández – 8
Hernández displayed blistering pace when he made a crucial last ditch tackle to deny Carrasco from opening the scoring and was one of the standout performers from the 1-0 victory. Starting at left back, the AC Milan fullback was everywhere today and provided one of the most dangerous attacking threats all game. His ability to get up and down the pitch whilst being constantly involved is exceptional and he played a pivotal part in the goal, injecting speed into the French attack when it was so desperately needed.
N’Golo Kanté – 8
It could be said that after his move to Saudi Arabia that Kanté had been somewhat forgotten heading into EURO2024 in the discussion of France’s star players but he has been nothing short of exceptional. The 33 year old defensive midfielder picked up two player of the match awards in the group stages and he was absolutely everywhere against Belgium but it was going forward where he had the most impact. His decisive first time pass broke the lines, bypassing Belgium’s low block and found Muani who’s deflected effort broke the deadlock.
Adrien Rabiot – 5
Rabiot picked up a booking early in the first half that means he will miss France’s quarter final clash and the midfielder failed to influence the game in the way he would have hoped. A lot of his work will potentially go under the radar due to the level of midfielders that are next to him but he broke up Belgium’s attack well at times but could have taken more risks in his passing range to try and start attacks.
Aurélien Tchouaméni – 6
Tchouaméni played a pivotal role in the heart of the French midfield and allowed for France’s full backs and attacking players to have more freedom by sitting back and keeping the ball moving. Just like his fellow midfielder Rabiot, he was booked early in the first half and as a result looked slightly more reserved in the way he pressed and progressed with the ball.
Kylian Mbappé – 6
Despite showing glimpses of creativity, Mbappé had a much quieter afternoon than he was tipped to have. It was not through a lack of trying though as he injected bursts of pace and urgency at various points throughout the match but he was unable to test Casteels and snatched at the chances he did have. The man in the mask is yet to have his moment at EURO2024 but it seems only a matter of time now.
Antoine Griezmann – 6
Griezmann was deployed on the right hand side by Didier Deschamps in what was a risk that unfortunately did not pay off as he went missing for large periods of the match and he will more than likely return to a more centralised position in the quarter finals, where he has been most effective for france over his illustrious career. He looked sharper in the first half but was unable to influence the attack in the way he usually does and cut a frustrated figure in the second half.
Marcus Thuram – 5
Thuram was rightly substituted just after the hour mark as the French striker put in a wasteful performance, failing to register a shot on target and putting four attempts wide of the mark. Two of those chances were headed wide from close range after initially showing intelligent movement to get innbetween the Belgium defenders but Thuram will know himself that they were guilt edge chances to break the deadlock.
Substitutes
Randal Kolo Muani – 8
It was a moment of magic or luck that was needed to win the game for either side and Kolo Muani came up with the latter late on for France. Brought on to replace the misfiring Thuram, he offered France a different threat up front and he was able to force a deflected finish past Casteels and despite the goal going down as an own goal, Kolo Muani delivered as the match winner for France and staked his claim for a starting spot in the quarter finals.
Belgium
Koen Casteels – 6
Despite the French dominance, Casteels was not called into action until the second half where he got down well with a strong save from a long range effort by Tchouaméni. There was nothing that the 32 year old goalkeeper could do to keep out the only goal of the game as the deflection sent Casteels the wrong way.
Timothy Castagne – 7
It is no easy feat to keep Mbappé quiet across 90 minutes and Castagne stuck to the task very well. The Belgian defender maintained his position at full back and did not allow for any space in behind for the rapid French forward to utilise but he did not offer enough going forward, largely due to Belgium’s defensive game plan.
Wout Faes – 7
Faes was very unlucky to be on the losing side today after a strong defensive performance and made a number of crucial tackles. He was pivotal in keeping Mbappé quiet as he supported Castagne and cleared up any time the French forward broke free. Faes made four tackles, three clearances and won 100% of his ground duels in a solid performance.
Jan Vertonghen – 7
Just like his defensive partners, Vertonghen led the Belgium defence extremely well and was key in organising the defensive set up Domenico Tedesco’s side set up with. Unfortunately for the veteran centre back, he was credited with the own goal and probably should have been tighter to Kolo Muani to prevent him from turning and getting the shot away. It is more than likely the 37 year old’s last appearance at a major international tournament and if that is the case, he can be immensely proud of the performance he put in.
Arthur Theate – 6
Similar to the rest of the Belgian defence, Theate was strong in his defensive performance and did not allow the wealth of French attacking options the freedom to create any clear chances. He dealt with the overlapping runs of Kounde well and the 24 year old held his own as part of a resolute Belgian backline.
Yannick Carrasco – 5
As De Bruyne played Carrasco through on goal, the Red wall behind Maignan’s goal were just waiting for it to bulge. However, it was Carrasco who had waited too long and allowed Hernández to recover and block the shot. He will rue the time he took to get a shot off on goal as it would have changed the game entirely and was Belgium’s most clear sight of goal all afternoon.
Amadou Onana – 7
Against such esteemed midfield opposition, Onana put in a fine performance and anchored his country in one of the few positives for Belgium. Timely interceptions and strong tackles were put in throughout the round of 16 clash, that disrupted the relentless French attacks and offered Belgium restbite in their defensive work.
Embed from Getty ImagesKevin De Bruyne – 7
De Bruyne’s class and exceptional ability was not enough to carry his country through against France, despite the Belgium captain’s tireless work in midfield. Playing a deeper role than he is known for at club level, De Bruyne was more effective defensively in the first half but was allowed freedom to push on towards the end. Maignan was a match for his fierce effort on goal and the Manchester City playmaker will feel he could have done better with his strike.
Jérémy Doku – 5
Doku’s quick dribbling and ability to beat defenders with ease was on show yet again against France, however it was only glimpses of this ability and he lacked the final ball in a frustrating performance. Doku’s playing style sees the winger take risks but losing the ball 19 times and completing less than 50% of his dribble attempts is below standards for the Manchester City forward.
Romelu Lukaku – 5
Similar to Maignan, Lukaku was a bystander in the first half and struggled to work his way into the game. He was able to have slightly more of an impact in the second half and had his only shot on target of the match saved well by the French keeper. It was not to be in this tournament for Belgium’s record goalscorer, who failed to score despite a plethora of big chances.
Loïs Openda – 5
Openda worked tirelessly throughout the hour that he was on the pitch but as a result of Belgium’s defensive minded set up, he was unable to influence the game in an attacking sense. The majority of his time was spent pressing the French defenders who controlled possession and Openda was unable to utilise his blistering pace and ruthless finishing that he has displayed at club level for RB Leipzig last season.
Substitutes
Orel Mangala – 6
Mangala showed signs of positive intent after being introduced in the second half and he allowed De Bruyne more attacking freedom by sitting back next to Onana. Made some intelligent runs behind the French midfield and played the key pass for Lukaku’s powerful strike on goal.
Charles De Ketelaere – N/A
Dodi Lukebakio – N/A