France vs Belgium Highlights, Euro 2024: Vertonghen own goal helps Les Blues into quarterfinals

That’s it! The referee blows the full-time whistle as Belgium’s Euro hopes come crashing down in Germany. France, which had been eliminated at this stage in the previous edition of the tournament, gets past the barrier with ease this time around.

Doku comes close to scoring but like Belgium’s tale throughout the game, he fails to convert the chance as France stays just ahead with a solitary goal difference.

Kulo Muani scores and France has the lead with just five minutes remaining. It took a hefty deflection from Vertonghen and beats the diving Belgian goalkeeper Koen Casteels. However, its is given as Vertonghen own goal. 

Doku and Kante end up in a tangle. De Briyne takes a shot but Maignan makes a good save. It was a venomous right footed drive from the edge of the box, a brilliant chace for the Red Devils to take the lead. 

Vertonghen gets yellow card and Belgium coach Tedesco also gets into the referee’s book for his protests. Mbappe’s takes a shot from the edge of the box but fails to keep it on target. 

France gets a corner, Doku is convinced that it should have been a Belgium free kick. Saliba almost scores a screamer with his left foot. France is knocking on Belgium’s door. 

Lukaku’s shot is pushed away by Maignan. It was a rare chance for Belgium. 

Griezmann takes a shot from the edge of the box but fails to hit the target. France is creating chances but is unable to finish. 

Substitution for both teams:

France: Thuram out, Kulo Muani in

Belgium: Openda out, Mangala in

Caressco gets a delightful ball from De Bruyne and he makes a brilliant run into the box, Theo Hernandez makes a brilliant challenge from behind to stop Caressco from taking a shot. 

Mbappe flocks his line, it was good chance for the Real Madrid man. Kounde finds Mbappe, who makes a clever run inside the box but fails to connect it properly. France getting closer and closer. 

Rabiot tries to find Thuram with an early lifted pass but the French striker is beaten to by Casteels. Mbappe dribbles past three Belgian player and takes a shot from the edge of the box. It goes just over the bar. 

Tchouameni shot is deflected by Faes and Casteels pushes it for a French corner. Openda fouls Hernandez and give France a free kick. Another decent header chance for Thuram but his attempt is again off target. 

Belgium is trying to makes good start and is making inroads inside the French final third. Corresco’s cross is dealt well by Kounde before Saliba snatches ball from Lukaku. 

The second half of France vs Belgium is under way. 

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France vs Belgium, Euro 2024 round of 16: Rabiot to miss next match, Dembele and Trossard benched; Top talking points from FRA v BEL

Take a look at all the major talking points from the France and Belgium, high profile Euro 2024 round of 16 match being played at the Dusseldorf Arena.

The referee blows the whistle. There is nothing separate between the No. 2 and No. 3 sides at the break. 

FRANCE 0-0 BELGIUM | HALF TIME

France gets a corner and plays it shot. Mbappe wriggles through the Belgium defence and feeds Tchouameni, who takes a shot but it is off target. 

One minute added on. 

France can’t seem to find the final pass. Belgium is sitting deep and trying hit on counters. 

France has been the better team so far in terms of chance creation but has nothing to show for. 

Hernandez plays a ball looking for Thuram’s run inside Belgium’s box but Casteels is come out and gets the ball ahead of the French striker. Tchouameni takes a shot from 30 yards out but it is just off target. 

Thuram’s header is just wide. Kounde puts a brilliant cross for the striker to attack and his header is inches away from the target. The move started with Saliba’s big switch to overlapping Kounde. 

After France made a slightly better start Belgium has got a foothold in the contest. Konde tries to play a through ball for Thuram but the Inter Milan striker can’t get there. Hernandez tries to put in a cross but overcooks it. 

Openda with a bit of trickery and speed gets into the French box and the ball falls to Carrasco, who hits it but Hernandez blocks. Belgium appeals for a penalty. VAR check is on but this is not a handball. First big chance of the match for Belgium. 

Mbappe is showcasing his ball control. Griezmann gets a yellow card for his late challenge on Doku, who had a bit of space on the Belgian left flank. Free kick for Belgium, De Bruyne behind the ball and Maignan saves it. Rabiot also gets into the referee’s book. Three French players are booked inside the first 25 minutes. 

France gets another corner but fails to take advantage again. Raboit lifts a ball towards Kounde making a overlapping run on the right flank, however, there is no output from this move. 

France gets the first corner of the match as Castange heads a ball out from a dangerous looking Griezmann cross. Tchouameni gets into the book of the referee for dissent. Carrasco is tackled by Hernandez from behind inside the box but it is a clean challenge. 

Kounde makes a darting run from the right flank but there is no one at the end of his cut back just outside six yard box. A huge relief for Belgium defence. 

Griezmann tries to find Mbappe with a clever one-two but his ball is cleared by the Belgium defence. France is keeping hold of the ball but can’t seem to cause any panic in the Belgium final third. Griezmann takes the first shot on target but his shot lacked power. 

France has dominated the possession for the first five minutes and trying to use Mbappe from the left wing along with full back Hernandez. Maignan comes out from the box to deal with a Belgium attempted counter attack. 

The second and third ranked nations in the world are facing off each other in this vital clash for a place in the quarterfinals. France has come out of the box with intent and takes the first shot of the match. 

The Euro 2024 round of 16 match between France and Belgium is under way in Dusseldorf.

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France vs Belgium, Euro 2024 round of 16 LIVE: Match in pictures; Real-time photo gallery from FRA v BEL

FRA vs BEL Live photos: Take a look at the live updates in pictures from the Euro 2024 round of 16 match between France and Belgium at the Dusseldorf Arena on Monday.

We are just moments away from the start of the match in Dusseldorf. Both France and Belgium players are about to come out on the pitch for the national anthem and then the match will begin. Stay tuned for LIVE updates. 

Casteels (GK); Theate, Vertonghen, Faes, Castagne; Onana, Openda, De Bruyne; Doku Lukaku, Carrasco

Maignan (GK); Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Hernandez; Tchouameni, Kante, Rabiot; Griezmann; Thuram, Mbappe

By this stage of the European Championship, favourites France and contenders Belgium would have wanted to be well into their stride and hitting their straps as they enter the knockout stages.

BEL vs FRA, Euro 2024 round of 16: Belgium, France in head-on clash both battling first round blues

The neighbours go spluttering into the last 16 and into a head-on collision in Duesseldorf on Monday after both failed to finish top of their first-round group.

Hello and welcome to Sportstar’s live coverage from the Euro 2024 round of 16 clash between France and Belgium from Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf, Germany.