France advanced to the quarter-finals of another major tournament after seeing off Belgium in Dusseldorf.
MAN OF THE MATCH: WILLIAM SALIBA (FRANCE)
The Arsenal centre-back is an excellent and reliable player for club and country. He did a good job of keeping Romelu Lukaku quiet for much of a tense encounter and almost scored the winner as France leveled the shots in the second half.
PLAYER RATINGS
France: Menjan 7, Kounde 7, Upamecano 7, Saliba 8, Hernandez 8, Chuameni 7, Kante 8, Rabiot 7, Griezmann 7, Thiram 7, Mbappe 7 Subs: Kolo Muani 7
Belgium: Casteels 7, Castagne 7, Faes 7, Vertonghen 6, Theate 6, De Bruine 7, Onana 6, Doku 8, Openda 6, Carrasco 6, Lukaku 6 Subs: De Ketelaere 6, Dodi Lukebakio 6, Mangala 7
THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF THE MATCH
50′ CASTELLI SAVE BELGIUM Great diving stop low to his left to keep out Chuameni’s deflected shot. A decent game from France, but Belgium held on.
62′ EXCELLENT FRENCH DEFENSE It was almost interrupted by a mistake by Saliba when De Bruyne sent Carrasco into the French penalty area. A chance to get a shot, but Hernandez’s pace is outstanding as he makes the final effort before reaching the finish line. France celebrates that match as a goal.
73′ SALIBA ALMOST A HERO FOR FRANCE. The Arsenal defender shows excellent control in the Belgium penalty area but can’t direct the target as Castilles pounces on the left as the ball flies wide. Which is in keeping with the theme of the evening.
83′ DE BRUJNE CAME TO LIFE. The Belgian magician wasn’t seen much in the final third tonight, but showed his quality to control the ball from Doku’s pass before firing well into the goal. 22 yards. A solid stop at Megnan.
85′ GOAL! (WERTONGHEN OG) FRANCE 1-0 BELGIUM Sub Randal Kolo Muani with a massive save from Vertonghen as he wrong-footed Castilles as he dived to the right. Decent pass from Kante, and France finally take the lead.