Belgium's loss might seem unfortunate, but letting them advance would feel undeserved; France's advancement seems unearned, but their loss would also feel wrong—this sentiment perfectly captures the aftermath of the Euro Cup clash between France and Belgium. The match, featuring two powerhouse teams, ended with a mundane display, where over 20 shots combined only resulted in a decisive own goal. The game’s soporific nature even made fans grateful it didn’t go into extra time.
Abstract Performances in Group Stage
Both France and Belgium displayed underwhelming performances in the group stage. Belgium lost their opening match to Slovakia, with Lukaku failing to score despite celebrating three times, turning into fodder for memes. France, with the second-highest squad value, managed just two goals in the group stage—a penalty and an own goal—lacking any open-play goals. Given these performances, it’s no surprise that their Round of 16 clash felt abstract and anticlimactic.
A Lackluster Match
In the match, both teams appeared energetic but produced few real chances. France managed 19 shots but only one clear opportunity, while Belgium had just five shots in total. With only four shots on target between them, it’s no wonder fans criticized the match as a bore. Ultimately, Vertonghen's own goal sealed the victory for France, a fittingly ironic end.
Historical Context and Future Prospects
Statistics reveal that France is the first team in Euro Cup history to reach the quarterfinals without scoring an open-play goal in their first four matches. Despite their forwards being valued at €478 million, they have only managed two own goals and one penalty. Interestingly, since 1998, whenever France has reached the quarterfinals, they either win the tournament or lose to the eventual champions.
Deschamps’ Take and Upcoming Matches
French coach Didier Deschamps highlighted the importance of solid defense in his post-match comments, emphasizing the team’s control and effort to avoid conceding goals. He acknowledged that scoring one goal was sufficient for now.
With the Euro Cup’s “Group of Death” now set, Germany and Spain will battle for a semifinal spot, while France faces Portugal in another quarterfinal. The stage is set for intense matches—who will secure their place in the final?
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