France Secures Victory Over Belgium with Vertonghen's Own Goal at Euro 2024
EURO 2024

France Secures Victory Over Belgium with Vertonghen’s Own Goal at Euro 2024

It took until their 66th shot and the 84th minute, but France finally scored from open play in their fourth match of the European Championship finals. Or did they? Randal Kolo Muani’s late strike was scuffed and needed a deflection off a defender’s knee to beat Koen Casteels. This goal, in Düsseldorf, might ultimately be recorded as an own goal by Jan Vertonghen. Regardless, it was enough to secure a 1-0 victory against Belgium.

The Portrait of a Team

This match epitomized the French team. Despite being tournament favorites with world-class talent, including a player who scored five World Cup final goals, France has only managed three goals: a penalty, and two potentially scored by their opponents. Yet, here they are in the quarterfinals, still standing, and you wouldn’t bet against them advancing further. This performance wasn’t always impressive, and the winner felt appropriate for such a match. However, it is hard to shake the feeling that somehow, this was by design, that everything is under control.

A Controlled Chaos

Even when it seemed not, France maintained their composure. Despite their numerous shots missing the target, they stayed focused. It wasn’t until the final ten minutes that Mike Maignan had to make a crucial save from Kevin De Bruyne. France took 19 shots to Belgium’s 5, yet Domenico Tedesco might feel his team had better chances in an odd, still, and not always exciting afternoon, destined to be decided by a single moment. By the end, it could have been Belgium celebrating, not France.

A Slow Start

Antoine Griezmann took the first shot nine minutes in, and by halftime, the totals were 9-1. However, the initial effort was weak, and what followed wasn’t much better. Occasionally, there was a neat exchange, a dash past the marker, and a couple of headers at the near post from Marcus Thuram. Aurélien Tchouaméni fired over, and Kylian Mbappé bundled through on the left. Yet, it all felt slow and uninspiring, with little noise from the stands to suggest a grand occasion, and Casteels didn’t have a real save to make.

Belgium’s Few Chances

At the other end, Maignan did make a save, but only once. Belgium seemed comfortable with this and why not? On the few occasions they did run, things opened up a bit, with Jérémy Doku and Yannick Carrasco leading the way. There was also a lovely sharp turn in the area by Loïs Openda, leaving Carrasco with a chance he might have done better with. From one of Doku’s runs, they won a free-kick, which De Bruyne curled in almost catching the French goalkeeper off guard. Maignan just managed to kick it away while falling backward.

A Shift in Momentum

Mbappé’s neat evasion of De Bruyne opened the second half, with the ball floating off the pitch. France increased their ball movement speed, showing more insistence. Mbappé and N’Golo Kanté set up Tchouaméni, who curled a shot towards the bottom corner, drawing the first decent save from Casteels. Another Thuram header followed, then Mbappé dashed inside and shot over. Moments later, Griezmann and Jules Koundé created another opening for him, which he sliced wide.

Late Drama

France tightened their grip, but Belgium suddenly broke free. William Saliba lost the ball, De Bruyne lifted it over, and then slipped it to Carrasco, sprinting into the area. Carrasco paused just enough for Theo Hernández to make a great block.

Belgium had another chance, with Maignan saving beautifully from Romelu Lukaku, set up by De Bruyne’s pass and Orel Mangala’s run. It wasn’t the last time. With seven minutes left, Maignan made a spectacular stop from De Bruyne. And then, two minutes later, France scored again.

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