Substitute Randal Kolo Muani’s shot forced an own goal, securing a 1-0 victory for France over Belgium in the Euro 2024 round-of-16. Despite making most of the running in the game, France struggled with their finishing until the late goal by Kolo Muani. This victory sets France up to face the winner of the Portugal vs. Slovenia match in the quarterfinals.
After the match, Kolo Muani expressed his feelings stating, “We pushed hard, but we were missing the target. I got lucky with the goal.” The coach had instructed him to bring energy and speed to the game, which ultimately led to the winning goal. It was a scruffy decider for an underwhelming game overall, but France’s efforts were visible throughout the match, even though they have yet to score from open play in the tournament.
The matchup between France and Belgium, officially ranked as the second and third best teams in the world, lacked the excitement and shine expected from such high-caliber teams. Both teams entered the knockout stage with unimpressive performances in the group stage, managing only two goals each in three games. Belgium’s strategy of slowing down the pace of the game and limiting France’s speed was evident throughout the match.
The first half saw France creating chances, with Jules Koundé delivering a teasing cross that Marcus Thuram failed to convert. As the game progressed, France started to find their rhythm, with players like Aurélien Tchouaméni and Kylian Mbappé testing the Belgian defense. However, Belgium also had their moments, with Theo Hernández making a crucial tackle to deny Yannick Carrasco a scoring opportunity.
In the end, it was France’s poor finishing that stood out, with players like William Saliba and Mbappé squandering chances before Kolo Muani’s decisive goal. Despite the victory, there are areas of improvement for France, particularly in converting their chances and scoring from open play.
France coach Didier Deschamps praised his team’s performance, highlighting their possession and opportunities created during the match. He emphasized the importance of savoring the victory and acknowledging the team’s achievement in reaching the quarterfinals. Deschamps’ positive outlook on the game contrasts with the scrappy nature of the decider, but it reflects his confidence in the team’s abilities moving forward in the tournament.
France’s victory against Belgium was hard-fought and well-deserved, despite the lackluster display from both teams. The late goal by Kolo Muani sealed the win for France, but there are lessons to be learned from their struggles in finishing and converting chances. As they prepare for the quarterfinals, France will need to address these issues to continue their journey in Euro 2024.