France scrape past Belgium after supersub seals Euros last-16 win – 5 talking points

FRANCE 1-0 BELGIUM: Randal Kolo Muani broke Belgian hearts with a late deflected winner to send France into the quaeter-finals of the European Championships

Randal Kolo Muani’s deflected effort sealed victory for France (
Image: Getty Images)

France booked their place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 after Randal Kolo Muani’s late effort was deflected beyond Belgium goalkeeper Koen Casteels.

Kolo Muani, who made a crucial contribution to help France reach the 2022 World Cup final, began the game on the bench. However, he proved the difference after finding space in the box and seeing his scuffed effort deflect home via a touch from Jan Vertognhen

As the clock ticked towards 90 minutes, there was a feeling a goal from anyone could prove to be the winner. Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne both stung the palms of Mike Maignan, while the impressive William Saliba came close to what could have been a first senior goal in France colours, but it was Kolo Muani who came up trumps.

Next up for the winners is a quarter-final against either Portugal or Slovenia. If Roberto Martinez’s team claim victory, it would set up a repeat of the Euro 2016 final when Portugal beat France on hope turf.

After a sleepy start to the game, things threatened to burst into life when Kevin De Bruyne’s free-kick forced an unorthodox save from France keeer Mike Maignan. It was then France’s chance to go close, with Marcus Thuram unable to direct a header on target

In a half of few chances, France almost snatched a lead at the break when Aurelien Tchouameni blazed over following tidy work down the left from Kylian Mbappe. It looked as though a mistake might be required to break the deadlock, and that almost happened when sloppy play from William Saliba almost gave Yannick Carrasco an opening, but a big Theo Hernandez challenge denied the Belgian.

It was France who won, though, thanks to their late goal. Here are Mirror Football ‘s talking points from a tight round of 16 game.

1. Mbappe gives Real Madrid dilemma

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Mbappe has long insisted he does his best work from the left, and the absence of Ousmane Dembele ensured the incoming Real Madrid star would provide Les Bleus’ main outlet from wide roles. If you’re looking to win a game via a single moment of magic, there are worse options, and a more composed finish from Tchouameni might well have been enough for a half-time lead.

There were moments early on when he appeared tentative, perhaps still feeling the effects of the broken nose he suffered against Austria, but he grew into the game. However, it raised a question of how Madrid will get the most out of both him and Vinicius Junior.

Two of the world’s best forwards, both more effective from the left, in a team arguably in need of a central focal point in attack. Someone is bound to be left disappointed.

2. Openda fails his audition

Lois Openda didn’t get much change out of France’s back line ( 
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AFP via Getty Images)
While Jeremy Doku has been a constant on one flank for Belgium, none of the options on the opposite side to the Manchester City man have been able to match his displays. Domenico Tedesco’s answer against France was to introduce Lois Openda to support Romelu Lukaku in attack, with Doku and Yannick Carrasco wide as both Leandro Trossard and Dodi Lukebakio started from the bench.

RB Leipzig forward Openda looked lively from the bench in the group stage, not least with his ultimately handball-assisted run to set up a disallowed Romelu Lukaku goal. He was flatter this time, though, with Lukaku also suffocated by the French defence in the first hour.

The introduction of Orel Mangala for Openda appeared to give Belgium a greater balance in the later stages of the game. However, a failure to find the net earlier on proved costly when Belgium’s defence couldn’t contain their opponents.

3. Rabiot suspension leaves France with decision to make

Adrien Rabiot will miss the quarter-final through suspension ( 
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Getty Images)
A first-half booking for Adrien Rabiot was the midfielder’s second of the tournament, meaning he knew he would miss the quarter-finals if France progressed. The 29-year-old has started every game this tournament, emphasisisng how highly he is valued by Deschamps, leaving the manager with a decision for the quarter-finals.

France are now into the quarter-finals, and they’ll have to find another approach. Will this prompt Deschamps into a more adventurous approach, or will another more conservative midfielder come into the fold.

It may be the case that Deschamps decides the best way to claim glory is by giving opponents as little as possible to work with. If that’s the case, things might not be easy on the eye next time around, but this is often a results business above all else.

4. Kounde showing his worth on the right

Jules Kounde and Jeremy Doku locked in battle ( 
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Over the years, France have been accused of crowbarring central defenders into full-back roles. It has been seen as a bit of a safety-first approach at times, but Jules Kounde emphasised how such a move doesn’t have to come at the expense of a team’s attacking output.

While he played as a central defender earlier in his career, the Barcelona man has developed into a strong full-back in more recent times. While providing a worthy adversary for Doku, he also helped provide one of France’s more dangerous first-half moments when his cross from deep found the head of Thuram.

5. Better performance needed in the quarter-finals

The list of teams who have been consistently strong at Euro 2024 is a short one, but neither France nor Belgium was on it before kick-off in Dusseldorf. Frustratingly, neither had threatened to add their name to the list by the time the final whistle blew.

As England showed on Sunday, though, it’s possible to progress in this tournament without hitting top gear. Whether it’s possible to make it to the final four or beyond while underwhelming in the final third, though? Well, we’ll get the answer to that in a few days’ time.

At the very least, France have shown defensive strength, with William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano proving stingy once more. At the other end, though, something may well need to change.