France beat Belgium live updates (2024)

• France beat Belgium 1-0 in scrappy Euro 2024 clash
• Randal Kolo Muani’s deflected strike only goal of game
• France to play Portugal or Slovenia in quarter-final tie

The goal that knocked Belgium out of the European Championships began with Romelu Lukaku losing the ball deep into the France half. He must have felt cursed at times during Euro 2024 after seeing three goals ruled out by VAR in the first two matches before his mistake ultimately led to his nation’s exit in the round of 16.

Belgium’s record goalscorer has an astonishing knack for finding the back of the net for club and country yet it never quite happened for him in Germany.

It felt unlikely that this game would be decided by a moment of magic and, instead, it came down to a stroke of fortune. A scrappy deflected shot off Jan Vertonghen’s knee felt fitting for a match so low on quality. They will play the winner of Portugal against Slovenia followed by a date with Germany or Spain should they triumph.

Didier Deschamps’ team will have to be miles better if the manager is to become the first person to win both the Euros and the World Cup as a player and as a coach.

Other than Germany and Spain, most of the big hitters have struggled to find form at Euro 2024.

Whether it’s the fault of crammed domestic seasons or the weight of expectation is difficult to say but France and Belgium, two teams expected to go far before the tournament, struggled through a game low on moments of genuine quality.

Austria and Romania, less heralded sides, topped their groups, while lowly Georgia managed to beat Portugal and even take the lead in a knockout match against Spain.

It’s good that the football hasn’t been predictable but the knockout stages could do with a genuinely great game and this sure as hell wasn’t it.

• Are France improving?
• Was De Bruyne wasted too deep?
• How does Deschamps unlock Griezmann?
• Les Bleus' right-sided joy
• What now for Belgium?

The Athletic's Mark Carey, Peter Rutzler and Danny Taylor were on hand to deliver The Briefing — check it out below.

And the France fans and players alike will be keeping an eye on the next game, which comes your way in half an hour.

In the sixth last-16 tie of the tournament, Portugal and Slovenia meet in Frankfurt.

You can follow our live coverage of that match here.

Here is how our quarter-final line-up is looking at Euro 2024 after that narrow win for France.

Friday, July 5

• Spain vs Germany
• Portugal/Slovenia vs France

Saturday, July 6

• England vs Switzerland
• Romania/Netherlands vs Austria/Turkey

I feel genuinely sorry for whoever had to pick a Player of the Match from that game.

But it is Jules Kounde who has received the official UEFA award and, to his credit, he did actually have a very good game.

After he was beaten a couple of times early on by Doku, he really improved and was arguably France's biggest threat offensively. His five chances created were the most in the match, as were his three tackles.

We hear so much about 'Golden Generations' in international football, and I think it is fair to say that Belgium's has been and gone.

That is two major tournaments in a row they have limped out of after they were dumped out in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup.

There are still lots of quality players in the squad but their best players are not getting any younger and it is hard to imagine them threatening for trophies on the European and world stage for a long time, especially given the depth of quality in other squads.

It is not unfamiliar to see France benefit from an own goal at the European Championship.

In fact, they have benefitted from them more than any other team in tournament history (5).

• France – 5
• Spain – 4
• Netherlands – 3

The six World Cup own goals they have benefitted from is also a tournament record!

Sad for Vertonghen to (presumably) go out like that. Intelligent defender, never rash, lovely left foot. Good in a high line and then adjusted well to loss of speed.

Really enjoyed watching him over the years.

The France players are celebrating in front of their fans, a lot more than they did against Poland.

Freed from desire plays, they’re dancing, smiles on their faces, waving to the crowd. The technical staff even make a guard of honour as the players funnel through, big pats on the back for Mbappe.

I think a huge weight has just lifted from their shoulders.

A yellow card and an own goal were the fruits of Vertonghen's labour on his 157th appearance for his country.

At 37 years old, it is hard to imagine he goes on any longer at international level.

Football continues to be a cruel mistress. Well, unless you're French.

So lucky but France don't care. One penalty and two own goals in their favour for France so far.

Onto the quarter-finals....

FT France 1-0 Belgium

And that is it!

It wasn't a classic but France will progress to the quarter-final at the expense of their neighbours Belgium thanks to Vertonghen's late own goal.

90+3' France 1-0 Belgium

Belgium are trying to put France under pressure, but three added minutes are not enough for them.

Kolo Muani has just relieved all of that pressure by taking the ball past Mangala and drawing a foul, and a yellow card, from the Belgium substitute.

That should be it...

90+1' France 1-0 Belgium

For the first time La Marseillaise is sung loud and clear. The two Ultra fan groups Les Irresistibles and Les Baroudeurs du Sport are right behind the Belgium goal and will be thinking about their next trip to Hamburg....

90+1' France 1-0 Belgium

Belgium have just three minutes to find an equaliser in Dusseldorf, otherwise they will be heading out.

89' France 1-0 Belgium

That was such a jammy goal. Kolo Muani scuffed his shot and it got a huge deflection but France won't care.

They deserve to go ahead, they've been defensively solid and created chances but they still can't find their polished finishing boots. Classic functional, gritty Deschamps really.

88' France 1-0 Belgium

In the blink of an eye, Belgium's position at this tournament hangs on a knife's edge.

They have responded to the concession of that goal with two changes: Dodi Lukebakio and Charles De Ketelaere on for Carrasco and Castagne.