Euro 2024: Belgium own goal breaks tie, sending France into quarter-finals

Lucky break sends the 2022 World Cup runners-up into a last-eight tie on Friday as they remain on course to become European champions for a third time

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France’s Kylian Mbappe celebrates after beating Belgium in Dusseldorf, Germany on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 2:41am, 2 Jul 2024

Jan Vertonghen’s late own goal took France into the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 on Monday as they edged Belgium 1-0 in a tense tie in Düsseldorf.

France had dominated the last-16 clash but their profligate finishing looked set to force extra time until they finally found a way through with five minutes left.

Substitute Randal Kolo Muani collected the ball inside the Belgian penalty area and hit a shot that was going wide until a deflection off the unfortunate Vertonghen took it past goalkeeper Koen Casteels.

Belgium supporters cheer their team after losing to France on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE

The lucky break sent the 2022 World Cup runners-up into a last-eight tie in Hamburg on Friday as they remain on course to become European champions for the third time.

France are yet to score from open play in four matches at the tournament – captain Kylian Mbappé netted once from a penalty against Poland, while their other two goals came from opposition defenders.

Crucially, however, they are rock solid in defence, having conceded only one goal, from a penalty, so far.

Their back line was outstanding against Romelu Lukaku and his fellow attackers, and Belgium bow out after what will go down as a disappointing tournament for them.

Both of these sides were looking for revenge, in Belgium’s case for their 1-0 defeat against France in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, a result that still hurts six years on.