News Delhi: France and Belgium will face each other for their final-16 game of UEFA Euro 2024 in Merkur Spiel-Arena, Dusseldorf (Monday, July 1). Two teams come to the elimination phase without performing to the standards they have set themselves for in the group stage, and both teams will be aware of this.
Real Madrid-bound Kylian Mbappe scored his first Euros goal in his side’s game against Poland in Group D, taking home a spot kick early in the second half. Mike Maignan had initially denied the stopping-and-starting Robert Lewandowski, but the AC Milan goalkeeper was soon penalised for coming off his line. It was enough for his Barcelona counterpart to aim for the same corner and get the desired outcome for his team in a low-key 1-1 draw.
Didier Deschamps’s men ended the Group stage as runners-up place after Austria’s sensational beating of the Netherlands. France played the entire group stage without scoring a goal from open play despite having 47 attempts. Five last of their six matches at the European Championship have ended level after 90 minutes. France have a big job in their hand if they want to reach the finals, as Portugal, Germany, and Spain are all in the same last-16 bracket. They will, though, enter the knockouts with just one goal conceded from their group stage, which is the joint second-best defensive record behind unbroken Spain in the group stage.
Belgium, on the other hand, failed to score in two of its three games in Group E, where all four sides incredibly finished on the same amount of points. However, Belgium’s defensive tactics were better, with two clean sheets from three games. They were in a group where, for the first time in a men’s game, all four teams finished with the same point at the end of the group stage.
Domenico Tedesco’s men returned to their attacking style in their 2-0 win over Romania on matchday two. They were impressive against Ukraine, ending with a goalless draw in their final group-stage game. Belgium just made it to the eliminators in the second spot behind Romania.
Tedesco’s major headache will be his side’s inability to score. Across the group, Belgium only scored two goals. Romelu Lukaku is yet to score in Euro 2024. Belgium, though, can boast of losing only once from their last 18 matches in all tournaments. Belgium has also progressed from all of their last four final-16 in major tournaments.
Team News
Mbappe will undoubtedly lead the France charge after playing the full 90 minutes against Poland without showing any effects from the injury. Deschamps opted to demote Antoine Griezmann to the bench in their final Group D draw. He may return in this game, though, to help France revert to their 4-2-3-1.
There has been speculation about who may be dropped in Griezmann’s return. As Adrien Rabiot has reportedly practised on the left during training, Bradley Barcola will likely be pushed to the bench. If the French boss decides to use a 4-3-1-2 formation, he may also drop underperforming Ousmane Dembele and replace him with Marcus Thuram, who will play in attack alongside Mbappe.
William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano will be on the defensive line as usual, and Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate’s knee injury makes little difference.
Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco will keep his approach of wingers with Dodi Lukebakio back for play, having served his suspension. Lukebakio could replace Leandro Trossard, who made little difference against Ukraine. Yannick Carrasco is also a contender after playing aggressive football in his last appearance for Belgium.
Axel Witsel and Thomas Meunier’s injury woes continue. Though recovering, they will likely miss the game against France. Though Wout Faes is a guaranteed starter in the upcoming game, Tedesco’s concern over defence will only get more complicated if the Leicester City player picks a second yellow card on Monday. Still, his brilliant performance against Ukraine makes him a team asset.
Head to Head
In their long history of playing against each other, France have won 26 games and lost 30 games against Belgium. Both teams have played 30 draw games. Though France have won their last two games against Belgium, their performance hasn’t always been convincing in recent years. Both teams will hope they can play better than their Group stage performance.
Predicted Lineup
France: Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernandez; Kante, Tchouameni, Rabiot; Griezmann; Thuram, Mbappe
Belgium: Casteels; Castagne, Faes, Vertonghen, Theate; Tielemans, Onana; Doku, De Bruyne, Carrasco; Lukaku
When, where and how to watch the France vs Belgium match in India?
The France vs Belgium UEFA Euro 2024 match will be telecast live on Sony Sports Network in India. Live streaming of Euro 2024 will be available on SonyLIV app and website. The action begins at 9:30 pm IST tonight.
As two-time Euro champion France meet Belgium, both will come to draw after underwhelming performances in the group-stage. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
