As EURO 2024 continues to captivate football enthusiasts worldwide, the upcoming Round of 16 match between France and Belgium stands out as a highly anticipated encounter. With both teams boasting a wealth of talent and a strong footballing pedigree, this clash promises to be a thrilling spectacle.
Match Preview: France vs Belgium
Neither France nor Belgium impressed during the group stage of Euro 2024. Their punishment? A difficult last-16 date with each other and landing on the tougher side of the knockout draw.
While expectations may not have been sky high for Belgium coming into the tournament, most would’ve expected them to comfortably win a Group E that also contained Slovakia, Romania, and Ukraine. They came second, having managed just a solitary win.
France, on the other hand, went into Euro 2024 among the favorites to win the whole thing given the talent at their disposal and recent pedigree in major international tournaments. However, they also only managed to finish as runners-up in their group, as surprise package Austria topped the section.
France – The Les Bleus Journey
After beating Austria – some might suggest fortunately – on Matchday 1, Les Bleus were held to successive draws by the Netherlands and Poland, with the latter finishing bottom of the group.
- Defensive Stability: The only goal France conceded was also a penalty, highlighting their defensive shrewdness, even if their overall performances were unspectacular.
- Recent Performance: France scored just two goals en route to the last 16, their fewest in a major tournament group stage since the 2010 World Cup (1). Those two goals came via a Max Wöber own goal for Austria and a Kylian Mbappé penalty, having 47 non-penalty attempts without finding the net.
Belgium – The Red Devils’ Challenge
It’s also fair to say Belgium has the weaponry to be problematic, even if they too flattered to deceive in the group stage.
- Recent Performance: Belgium will be appearing in the knockout stage of a third consecutive European Championship, having reached the quarter-finals at both Euro 2016 and Euro 2020. They’ve won each of their past four last-16 games at major tournaments (World Cup/Euros) since defeat to Brazil in the 2002 World Cup.
- Attacking Woes: Only Serbia had a poorer shot conversion rate in the group stage than Belgium and France. Belgium has scored just three goals in six games across the last two major tournaments (2022 World Cup & Euro 2024), scoring from only 3.6% of their shots and underperforming their expected goals (xG) by 6.15.
Tactical Battle
The tactical battle between the two teams will be fascinating to watch. France’s attacking flair and Belgium’s structured gameplay will create an intriguing dynamic on the field. Didier Deschamps and Domenico Tedesco, the respective managers, will have to outthink each other to gain the upper hand.
Key Players to Watch
- Kylian Mbappé (France): Having netted his first ever Euros goal against Poland, the soon-to-be Real Madrid player is just one off Michel Platini’s French record for goals in major tournaments (14).
- Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium): The midfield maestro’s vision and passing ability make him a constant threat.
Prediction
Predicting the outcome of such a high-stakes match is always challenging. Both teams have the quality to come out on top, and it may come down to individual moments of brilliance or tactical adjustments during the game. Given their defensive solidity, France might edge this encounter.
Prediction: France to win, 1-0.
Match Details
- Date and Time: Monday, July 1, 2024, at 18:00 CET (16:00 GMT)
- Venue: Merkur Spiel-Arena, Düsseldorf
Where to Watch
- In the UK: Live on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 4pm. Live stream available on the ITVX app and website.
- In the US: fuboTV or ViX+ offer extensive live coverage. Hulu with Live TV is another option.
Tickets
UEFA has informed that tickets reserved for the knockout round will be sold to fans in accordance with the rules defined by the relevant national football association. You can check ticket availability through the UEFA ticket portal or trusted vendors like Live Football Tickets, which offers a 150% money-back guarantee.
Conclusion
As the match between France and Belgium approaches, football fans around the world are gearing up for an exhilarating contest. The EURO 2024 has already delivered memorable moments, and this clash promises to add another chapter to the tournament’s storied history. Stay tuned for what promises to be a match for the ages!
