France Edges Past Belgium in Euros Quarterfinals, Mbappe Quiet

Kylian Mbappe

Appearing to adjust his mask a couple of times during France’s last-16 win against Belgium, it was clear Kylian Mbappe is not yet comfortable wearing it.

But he is not the only one in France’s forward line looking uncomfortable as the side once again failed to deliver in front of goal.

Instead it was a Jan Vertonghen own goal in the 85th minute, when Randal Kolo Muani’s strike deflected off him, that was enough to send Les Bleus into the quarter-finals of Euro 2024.

That took their tally in Germany to three goals, none of which their players have scored from open play.

France had 19 shots against the Belgians but just two were on target and ultimately it was a touch of fortune that saw them through.

Goals, or the lack of, has been an issue raised regularly in France press conferences after games in Germany, but once again boss Didier Deschamps was defiant when faced with criticism of his side’s efficiency in attack.

“If it is a deflected goal, even if it is an own goal, someone had to shoot,” Deschamps said. “It ended up in the back of the net.”