France progressed to the last eight of the Euros after defeating Belgium courtesy of a late own goal by Jan Vertonghen.
This was a game that lacked quality and excitement for large periods, and it looked destined for extra time.
A shot by substitute Randal Kolo Muani deflected off Vertonghen with five minutes remaining to seal the victory at Dusseldorf Arena.
Les Bleus, who last won the competition, had missed several chances before the goal. Once again, their lacked cutting-edge let them down, and even captain Kylian Mbappe put in efforts he would normally finish wide.
Belgium had the opportunity to take the lead before France’s late goal. Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne charged into space through the middle, but Mike Maignan was behind the shot as he pushed it behind.
The below-par Belgians got the only opportunity provided as France closed out the final few minutes to progress to the last eight, where they will face either Portugal or Slovenia.
There will be a concern for the France team that has reached the quarterfinals without scoring a goal from open play. Although Didier Deschamps’ side were deserved winners, this will be a relief as they again struggled to turn chances into goals.
They dominated play for large periods of the encounter but only managed a single shot on target in the first half when Antoine Griezmann’s low strike from a distance went into the hands of the goalie. Despite having Mbappe, one of the world’s best forwards, France still found it difficult when faced with shooting opportunities.
The former PSG striker curled the ball over in the second half after having done well initially to make space for himself.
Of the 19 shots on goal, France had just two of those on target, while they are still waiting for their first goal from open play in Germany.
With Belgium and the defending champions out of the competition, the Euros are becoming a theme familiar to several of the bigger sides left in Euro 2024.
France are currently struggling to play at the level they are capable of, but they will at least celebrate being one step closer to the final.
