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A late own goal by Jan Vertonghen secured France's place in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals, knocking out Belgium in a tense match at Dusseldorf Arena.
With the game seemingly headed for extra time, a shot by substitute Randal Kolo Muani deflected off Vertonghen with just five minutes left, giving France the win
Despite dominating the game, France struggled to find the net. Captain Kylian Mbappe missed several chances, and the team only managed two shots on target from 19 attempts.
Belgium had a chance to take the lead before France’s goal. Kevin de Bruyne’s powerful run and shot were stopped by Mike Maignan. That was the best opportunity for the Belgians, who otherwise had a subdued performance.
France now moves on to face Portugal in the quarter-finals, following Portugal's dramatic penalty shootout victory over Slovenia.
France Advances, But Improvements Needed
France deserved their win but still showed issues in converting chances. Despite dominating play, they only had one shot on target in the first half. Mbappe, one of the world’s best forwards, struggled with his finishing.
In the end, France had 19 shots, with just two on target, and are yet to score from open play in Germany. They will need to improve if they hope to progress further in the tournament.
Belgium’s 'Golden Generation' Faces Uncertain Future
Belgium’s cautious approach left fans disappointed again. Despite hopes of a stronger performance against France, their attacking moments were limited. De Bruyne’s late effort and Romelu Lukaku’s shot were their best chances, but neither resulted in a goal.
With key players like De Bruyne and Lukaku now in their 30s, this tournament felt like a last chance for Belgium’s 'golden generation.' They exit Euro 2024 wondering what might have been with this talented group of players.