The highly anticipated Euro 2024 match between France’s and Belgium began with both teams displaying their attacking prowess. In the opening moments, Adrien Rabiot missed an opportunity to put France ahead with a left-footed shot that went wide, assisted by Aurélien Tchouaméni. France continued to push forward, and at the 10-minute mark, Antoine Griezmann’s powerful shot from outside the box was saved by Belgium’s goalkeeper. Despite their efforts, France struggled to convert their chances, with Kylian Mbappé and Marcus Thuram also missing the target from promising positions.
Belgium, on the other hand, found it challenging to penetrate France’s defense. Jérémy Doku won a free kick on the left wing after a foul by Griezmann, but it did not yield any significant opportunity. The match saw its first yellow card when Tchouaméni was booked for a foul in the 14th minute, followed by Rabiot and Griezmann, who also received yellow cards for their aggressive play. The first half concluded with France dominating possession but failing to break the deadlock, leaving the score at 0-0.
France’s Dominance Without Reward
France’s offensive strategy was evident throughout the first half as they relentlessly attacked Belgium’s defense. The team earned several corners and free kicks but could not capitalize on these set-piece opportunities. Notably, Marcus Thuram’s headers from close range narrowly missed the target, and Tchouaméni’s long-range efforts also failed to find the back of the net. The French midfield, led by Tchouaméni and Rabiot, controlled the pace of the game, creating numerous chances that tested Belgium’s resilience.
Despite their dominance, France’s inability to finish their chances highlighted a critical issue. Adrien Rabiot was particularly active, attempting multiple shots, but his accuracy was lacking. The first half saw moments of frustration for the French players as they struggled to break down Belgium’s defense. As the half-time whistle blew, it was clear that France needed to refine their finishing if they hoped to secure a victory in the second half.
Belgium’s Resilient Defense Holds Strong
Belgium’s strategy in the first half revolved around a solid defensive setup aimed at thwarting France’s relentless attacks. Timothy Castagne, Arthur Theate, and Wout Faes played crucial roles in conceding corners but effectively cleared the resulting threats. Yannick Carrasco and Jérémy Doku were pivotal in initiating counter-attacks, though they were often halted by France’s disciplined defensive line. Kevin De Bruyne’s efforts to create opportunities were met with tough challenges from the French midfield.
Belgium’s resilience was tested repeatedly, especially during moments of injury delays involving Jérémy Doku and Arthur Theate. Despite these setbacks, Belgium managed to maintain their composure and prevent France from scoring. The first half ended with Belgium successfully weathering the storm, setting the stage for a potentially thrilling second half. With the score tied at 0-0, Belgium aimed to capitalize on their defensive strength and find a breakthrough in the remaining 45 minutes.
Second Half Momentum Shift: France’s Aggressive Offense
As the second half kicked off, both teams returned to the field with renewed energy, determined to break the 0-0 deadlock. France immediately demonstrated their offensive prowess, putting pressure on Belgium’s defense. In the 49th minute, a corner conceded by Belgium’s Koen Casteels led to a saved attempt by Aurélien Tchouaméni, who received an assist from N’Golo Kanté. This was swiftly followed by a blocked shot from Kylian Mbappé in the 50th minute, reflecting France’s aggressive start to the half.
France’s relentless attack continued with multiple attempts, notably from Marcus Thuram and Mbappé, though none found the back of the net. The 54th minute saw Mbappé again narrowly miss a shot assisted by Adrien Rabiot. Despite these misses, the persistent offensive pressure from the French side highlighted their strategic intent to dominate the match and capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Belgium’s Defensive Struggles and Tactical Changes
Belgium faced significant pressure from the French offense throughout the second half, leading to several fouls and defensive maneuvers. By the 61st minute, Belgium managed a counter-attack with Yannick Carrasco’s blocked attempt, assisted by Kevin De Bruyne. However, Belgium’s defense remained under constant strain, prompting tactical substitutions. In the 63rd minute, Loïs Openda was replaced by Orel Mangala to bolster the midfield and improve ball control.
Despite these efforts, Belgium’s defense continued to falter. Jan Vertonghen received a yellow card in the 76th minute for a foul, reflecting the mounting tension and defensive errors. As the clock ticked down, Belgium struggled to contain France’s high-paced attacks, leading to further fouls and missed opportunities. Kevin De Bruyne’s saved shot in the 83rd minute epitomized Belgium’s frustrations as they failed to breach France’s defense.
Decisive Moments and France’s Victory
The turning point came in the 85th minute with an unfortunate own goal by Belgium’s Jan Vertonghen, putting France ahead 1-0. This critical error shifted the momentum entirely in France’s favor. Belgium attempted to respond with strategic substitutions, bringing on Dodi Lukébakio and Charles De Ketelaere in the 88th minute to inject fresh energy into the attack.
However, France managed to maintain their lead despite Belgium’s late efforts. The match concluded with a final score of 1-0 in favor of France, sealing their victory. This result underscored France’s tactical superiority and relentless offensive pressure throughout the second half. Belgium’s defensive lapses and inability to capitalize on their opportunities ultimately cost them the match, marking a significant moment in Euro 2024.
