France squeeze via to final 8 after overdue Vertonghen personal purpose breaks Belgium hearts

France booked their position within the Euro 2024 quarter-finals as a overdue personal purpose by way of Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen condemned his facet to a 1-0 last-16 defeat in Dusseldorf.

Regardless of two-time winners France dominating huge swathes of a scrappy fit, overtime regarded most probably till Vertonghen deflected the ball into his personal web on 85 mins in looking to block a shot by way of France exchange Randal Kolo Muani.

France have not begun to attain a purpose from open play in 4 fits on the match, however have been total deserving winners – they loved 19 makes an attempt at purpose in comparison to 5 from their combatants – as they stepped forward to a quarter-final assembly with Portugal or Slovenia in Hamburg on Friday night time.

Portugal and Slovenia meet at 8pm in Frankfurt afterward Monday evening.

France ruled this fit with out ever discovering their maximum medical ranges of completing.

It could had been fascinating to peer their reaction if that they had fallen at the back of in Dusseldorf, however they all the time regarded relaxed and assured in preserving the ball towards a Belgium facet who have been compelled to play a lot of the fit at the counter assault.

Trainer Didier Deschamps will probably be relieved his facet are via to the final 8, however his lifestyles will change into markedly more straightforward towards Portugal or Slovenia if captain Kylian Mbappe begins to search out targets to accompany some dominant passing play from a midfield merely oozing elegance.

The only blot on their day used to be Adrien Rabiot accumulating a reserving that can see him suspended within the quarter-finals.

The Arsenal central defender is a wonderful and confident performer for membership and nation. Did a wonderful marking process to stay Romelu Lukaku quiet for almost all of a hectic come across and nearly scored the winner as France totted up the pictures in the second one part.

France: Maignan 7, Kounde 7, Upamecano 7, Saliba 8, Hernandez 8, Tchouameni 7, Kante 8, Rabiot 7, Griezmann 7, Thuram 7, Mbappe 7 Subs: Kolo Muani 7

Belgium: Casteels 7, Castagne 7, Faes 7, Vertonghen 6, Theate 6, De Bruyne 7, Onana 6, Doku 8, Openda 6, Carrasco 6, Lukaku 6 Subs: De Ketelaere 6, Dodi Lukebakio 6, Mangala 7

50′ CASTEELS TO THE RESCUE FOR BELGIUM Good diving forestall low to his left to stay out a deflected shot by way of Tchouaméni. Respectable play by way of France, however Belgium continue to exist.

62′ SUPERB FRENCH DEFENDING Nearly minimize open by way of a Saliba error as De Bruyne sends Carrasco spinning transparent within the France field. Likelihood to get shot away, however the tempo of Hernandez is excellent as he makes the last-ditch take on ahead of he may just unharness the end. France have fun that take on like a purpose.

73′ SALIBA ALMOST THE HERO FOR FRANCE The Arsenal defender appearing some very good keep watch over throughout the Belgium field, however can not direct the end on the right track as Casteels dives to his left as ball flies vast. Which is consistent with the theme of the night time.

83′ DE BRUYNE COMES TO LIFE Now not observed a lot of the Belgian magician within the last 3rd this night, however he displays his high quality to keep watch over the ball from the Doku move ahead of smashing a wonderful shot at purpose. 22 yards. Forged forestall by way of Maignan.

85′ GOAL! (VERTONGHEN OG) FRANCE 1-0 BELGIUM Sub Randal Kolo Muani with a large deflection off Vertonghen as his end improper footed Casteels as he dived to his proper. Respectable move by way of Kante, and France in any case have the lead.