France booked their place in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals as a late own goal by Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen condemned his side to a 1-0 last-16 defeat in Dusseldorf.
Despite two-time winners France dominating large swathes of a scrappy match, extra time looked likely until Vertonghen deflected the ball into his own net on 85 minutes in trying to block a shot by France substitute Randal Kolo Muani.
France have yet to score a goal from open play in four matches at the tournament, but were overall deserving winners – they enjoyed 19 attempts at goal compared to five from their opponents – as they progressed to a quarter-final meeting with Portugal or Slovenia in Hamburg on Friday evening.
Portugal and Slovenia meet at 8pm in Frankfurt later on Monday night.
Talking Point: France win with plenty left in tank
France dominated this match without ever finding their most clinical levels of finishing.
It would have been interesting to see their response if they had fallen behind in Dusseldorf, but they always looked comfortable and confident in keeping the ball against a Belgium side who were forced to play much of the match on the counter attack.
Coach Didier Deschamps will be relieved his side are through to the last eight, but his life will become markedly easier against Portugal or Slovenia if captain Kylian Mbappe starts to find goals to accompany some dominant passing play from a midfield simply oozing class.
The one blot on their day was Adrien Rabiot collecting a booking that will see him suspended in the quarter-finals.
Player of the Match: William Saliba (France)
The Arsenal central defender is a superb and assured performer for club and country. Did a fine marking job to keep Romelu Lukaku quiet for the majority of a tense encounter and almost scored the winner as France totted up the shots in the second half.
Player Ratings
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
Match Highlights
50′ CASTEELS TO THE RESCUE FOR BELGIUM Brilliant diving stop low to his left to keep out a deflected shot by Tchouaméni. Decent play by France, but Belgium survive.
62′ SUPERB FRENCH DEFENDING Almost cut open by a Saliba error as De Bruyne sends Carrasco spinning clear in the France box. Chance to get shot away, but the pace of Hernandez is superb as he makes the last-ditch tackle before he could unleash the finish. France celebrate that tackle like a goal.
73′ SALIBA ALMOST THE HERO FOR FRANCE The Arsenal defender showing some excellent control inside the Belgium box, but can’t direct the finish on target as Casteels dives to his left as ball flies wide. Which is in keeping with the theme of the evening.
83′ DE BRUYNE COMES TO LIFE Not seen much of the Belgian magician in the final third tonight, but he shows his quality to control the ball from the Doku pass before smashing a fine shot at goal. 22 yards. Solid stop by Maignan.
85′ GOAL! (VERTONGHEN OG) FRANCE 1-0 BELGIUM Sub Randal Kolo Muani with a massive deflection off Vertonghen as his finish wrong footed Casteels as he dived to his right. Decent pass by Kante, and France finally have the lead.