France left it late as they laboured to a 1-0 victory in opposition to Belgium to guide their place within the quarter-finals of Euro 2024.
With the sport heading for extra-time, Randel Kolo Muani was France’s hero as his eighty fifth minute strike deflected off defender Jan Vertonghen and previous goalkeeper Koen Casteels to seal victory.
France managed possession for a lot of the competition and went closest to breaking the impasse both aspect of half-time by Marcus Thuram and Aurelien Tchouameni, whereas Kylian Mbappe additionally threatened with some dazzling footwork – however his ending was off color as France struggled to check Casteels.
Belgium may have gained the sport themselves late on with Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne each forcing good saves from goalkeeper Mike Maignan, earlier than the scruffy decisive second despatched France by to the subsequent stage.
Picture:
Kevin De Bruyne’s late shot virtually grabbed victory for Belgium
Didier Deschamps’ aspect will meet the winner of Monday night’s match between Portugal and Slovenia within the quarter-finals in Hamburg on Friday (kick-off 8pm).
I believe France have been the higher crew. Clearly, the standard wasn’t actually there. It wasn’t a shock that it was an personal aim that settled the sport. You additionally want a little bit of luck. France saved a clear sheet and while you try this, you’ll at all times have an opportunity.
Sky Sports activities’ Roy Keane
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Pleasure for France, despair for Belgium…
France have now gained three successive video games in opposition to Belgium.
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After Beglium’s Euro 2024 defeat to France, Kevin De Bruyne referred to as a journalist ‘silly’ after he walked off disgruntled following a query about Belgium’s ‘golden era’.
Excluding penalty shoot-outs, Deschamps’ aspect have misplaced solely one in every of their final 15 Euros matches (gained eight and drawn six).
Can they go on so as to add to their 1984 and 2000 European Championship successes?
Picture:
France rejoice reaching the final eight
Picture:
Romelu Lukaku and Jeremy Doku react after Belgium’s 1-0 defeat to France
Neville: Vertonghen might be devastated by large mistake
Sky Sports activities’ Gary Neville talking on ITV about France’s late winner and Vertonghen’s involvement:
“I believe Vertonghen might be actually dissatisfied [with the goal], and never simply because it will get credited to him as an personal aim.
“He has bought to shift up. Kolo Muani does not do something wonderful. He is a little bit bit scruffy on the flip.
“However he is bought to shift up. When you’re one or two yards off, that is not unfortunate, it falls into the class of poor defending and he is aware of that, he is an skilled participant.
“I have been there. I might class that from a defender with large expertise as a giant mistake. He’ll recognise that. He’ll be devastated as a result of what he’ll even be considering is ‘will it’s the final time I am right here?’ That is the place it actually hits dwelling for gamers.”
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Deschamps: Savour the second
France boss Didier Deschamps:
“It is lovely, we performed a giant sport, it was tight however we loved possession and we had extra alternatives. We have now to savour it, it is fairly an achievement. We’re within the quarter-finals, they are going dwelling.
“We made a variety of progress and our opponents have been clearly cautious, even when they’re an attacking crew on paper. We did all the things we may to create possibilities, and we created greater than them, however we performed the ready sport and did not fall into their entice. I favored that, however clearly you’ll be able to’t win by possession alone.
“I would like us to create extra possibilities however we’re into the quarter-finals and that is what counts. Let’s not play down that second.”
De Bruyne: We did all the things to try to win
Belgium captain Kevin De Bruyne:
“We did all the things to attempt to win. We have been 5 minutes from extra-time.
“We had possibilities, not so many. Then they rating and there is not sufficient time to react.
“We have been defending fairly nicely however then there is a deflection. It is a disgrace however that is soccer… I had that probability in the direction of the tip however could not rating. The keeper did nicely. The crew actually did all the things we may do.”
