France left it late as they laboured to a 1-0 victory in opposition to Belgium to ebook their place within the quarter-finals of Euro 2024.
With the sport heading for extra-time, Randel Kolo Muani was France’s hero as his eighty fifth minute strike deflected off defender Jan Vertonghen and previous goalkeeper Koen Casteels to seal victory.
France managed possession for a lot of the competition and went closest to breaking the impasse both aspect of half-time by Marcus Thuram and Aurelien Tchouameni, whereas Kylian Mbappe additionally threatened with some dazzling footwork – however his ending was off color as France struggled to check Casteels.
Belgium may have gained the sport themselves late on with Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne each forcing good saves from goalkeeper Mike Maignan, earlier than the scruffy decisive second despatched France by to the subsequent stage.
Didier Deschamps’ aspect will meet the winner of Monday night’s match between Portugal and Slovenia within the quarter-finals in Hamburg on Friday (kick-off 8pm).
Neville: Vertonghen can be devastated by huge mistake
Sky Sports activities’ Gary Neville talking on ITV about France’s late winner and Vertonghen’s involvement:
“I believe Vertonghen can be actually upset [with the goal], and never simply because it will get credited to him as an personal purpose.
“He has acquired to shift up. Kolo Muani does not do something superb. He is a bit of bit scruffy on the flip.
“However he is acquired to shift up. When you’re one or two yards off, that is not unfortunate, it falls into the class of poor defending and he is aware of that, he is an skilled participant.
“I have been there. I’d class that from a defender with huge expertise as an enormous mistake. He’ll recognise that. He’ll be devastated as a result of what he’ll even be pondering is ‘will it’s the final time I am right here?’ That is the place it actually hits dwelling for gamers.”