With the nature of a knock-out match, both France and Belgium showed caution when approaching the match. Stars on both sides of the front line like Mbappe, Griezmann (France)… Kevin De Bruyne, Lukaku (Belgium)… are all very carefully blocked and don’t have much space to show their abilities.

The Belgian team proactively played low with a tight defense system, while coach Deschamps’ players lacked any breakthroughs. They moved the ball too slowly and could not make things difficult for the “Red Devils”.

In a tense match, the first opportunity came to Belgium after a breakthrough by Doku on the left wing and Griezmann was fouled right next to the penalty area in the 24th minute. De Bruyne took a free kick and gave the ball. Gently touching Griezmann’s head caused the fence to change direction. Fortunately, goalkeeper Maignan played focused to make a successful save.

Ten minutes later, the French team was able to respond with a long pass in their own half, allowing Kounde to escape down the right wing and cross into the penalty area for Thuram to head the ball narrowly wide of the post.

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In the final minutes of the first half, the French team continued to increase the pressure, but Tchouameni’s shots were all inaccurate.

The most unfortunate situation was the 45+1 minute situation when Mbappe made a determined breakthrough in the penalty area before passing back to Tchouameni to shoot in the penalty area and send the ball over the crossbar.

After the break, the French team pushed the team higher to increase pressure and many opportunities were created. But strikers like Thuram, Mbappe, Kolo Muani, Saliba all finished inaccurately.

The most unfortunate thing was Tchouameni’s shot close to the penalty area in the 49th minute, but goalkeeper Casteels had good reflexes to save Belgium.

Accepting to play “embarrassed”, the Belgian team also had quick counter-attack situations that made French fans “startled”. In the 71st minute, in the first situation with a chance to score, Lukaku shot quite hard but could not beat goalkeeper Maignan. In the 83rd minute, De Bruyne shot close to the penalty area and goalkeeper Maignan remained standing.

At the time many people began to think that the two teams would have to enter extra time to decide the winner or loser, the French team had the decisive goal of the match.

In the 85th minute, after a well-coordinated phase, Kante assisted Kolo Muani with an impressive “compass turn” and the ball hit Vertonghen’s foot and changed direction, causing goalkeeper Casteels to be helpless. The goal was awarded to… Vertonghen with an own goal.

In the remaining minutes of the match, Belgium tried to attack and find an equalizer but failed. Winning the final match 1-0, France won a ticket to the quarterfinals.

The next opponent of the “Goloa Rooster” will be the winner of the round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia.