France defeated Belgium on Monday at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Düsseldorf in the round of 16 of the Euro Cup. The match was very even in the first half, but in the second the French were superior to the Belgians. Kolo Muani gave his team the lead in the 85th minute with a shot that Vertonghen slightly deflected. Tchouameni tried several times with long shots and Mbappé made a great individual move in which he dribbled past several rival players until he shot from the penalty area, but his shot went over the crossbar. The French team, the main candidate to win the tournament, They finished second in the group, against all expectations, after beating Austria and drawing against the Netherlands and Poland. The same happened to Belgium, led by Kevin de Bruyne, a team in decline with the retirement of Hazard and the absence of Courtois, but who were the favourites to lead their group. The team led by Didier Deschamps will face the winner of the match between Portugal and Slovenia in the quarter-finals, which will be played today at 21:00.
This is how France is in the quarter-finals: a penalty and two own goals
This is how the history of this French team was written.
France, in the quarter-finals of the European Championship
With little brilliance, France achieved the goal of being among the eight best in the competition.
France always eliminates Belgium
Belgium has not succeeded in changing history. France always beats him. It is a selection that is clearly in decline.
The joy of France
France, number two in the world, is already in the quarter-finals of the European Championship.
Full time. France, 1-Belgium, 0
An own goal by Belgium in the 85th minute opens the door to the quarter-finals for France. Lucky France sneaks into the quarter-finals of the European Championship, where they will meet the winner of the match between Portugal and Slovenia.
Yellow for Fofana and final
France wins 1-0 and advances to the quarter-finals.
Belgium, in despair
Belgium tries desperately in the three minutes of extra time.
Lukabakio enters Belgium
Lukebakio, from Seville, comes in with Belgium to try to find the equalizer.
Minute 88 and France wins 1-0
Two minutes to go and France will be in the quarter-finals of the European Championship, after Belgium was awarded the prize.
Luck joins France with a rebound goal
Kolo Muani shot from the penalty area and Vertonghen deflected the French player's shot to deceive his goalkeeper. France has been very lucky in this step.
Second shot between the three sticks for France and goal
Good attacking move from France and lucky goal from Kolo Muani. The ball hits a defender and goes in. A very fortunate move for France
GOAL OF FRANCE
Goal by Kolo Muani.
Maignan saves France
De Bruyne plays further forward. He had a good chance, with a shot that Maignan saved. France cannot beat Belgium.
Another shot from Mbappé
New shot from Mbappé, but outside again. France is brutally attacking, without purpose or efficiency, qualities needed to win games.
Yellow for Vertonghen
Hard action by the French defender on Kolo Muani.
Minute 75 and the score remains 0-0
The two teams are denied in front of goal. Extra time is approaching.
Great game by Saliba
The French central defender penetrated the area and shot dangerously. The Gauls seek the goal, although they are unsuccessful. And beware of the disadvantages of Belgium.
Beware of Lukaku
Finally the Belgian striker appears, who has shot excellently at the French goal. Good stop at Maignan. The game becomes lively.
Tchouameni, third act
Third shot from the French midfielder that goes wide. The Frenchman tries, but without much luck.
Theo, a train
Great move in defense from Theo. He saved the goal from Carrasco.
Mangala participates in Openda
Strange change in Belgium, as Openda was very active.
Kolo Muani, to the field
Deschamps, always predictable, does not eat much of his head. Change from man to man. Kolo Muani enters and Thuram leaves.
Theo is a motorcycle
The French full-back's recovery was brilliant as he saved the goal from a Carrasco tackle. Great Theo in his rescue.
More speed in the game and a better France
In football, speed is crucial. France acts faster and now deserves the goal. The most important thing is that he plays with much more speed.
Mbappe finally appears
Good play from the French striker. And very typical. He cut back to the middle and his shot went just high.
Now Thuram has it
Good ball into the Koundé area. Thuram, who is very good at the top, shot wide. The attacker got his second chance of the match. France press.
Message from France
Tchouameni shot well from the edge of the penalty area. Good reaction from the Belgian goalkeeper. The long-range shot could be a good option for France against the Belgian defense.
The second part begins. France, 0-Belgium, 0
Very flat first part. France is playing very poorly as always, while Belgium has had too much respect for it. There are no changes for either team.
Belgium, without extensions at the European Championship
Belgium have never played extra time in a Euro Cup match, but are halfway to changing that statistic after a goalless first 45 minutes in Dusseldorf.
Rest. France, 0-Belgium, 0
Flat match, without goals, with few scoring chances for both teams. Everything indicates that the extension is possible. France tries, but does everything very slowly against Belgium, who are looking for a counterattack.
Very little of Mbappé
The French star tries, but it costs him effort. He made a good move with a cross to Tchouameni, who threw the ball high.
France, step by step
France is now dominating a bit more and is moving the lines a bit. Little by little he is bringing Belgium into his territory. He is dangerously approaching the rival territory as the half-time of the match approaches.
Lukaku misses the balls
The Belgian striker doesn't hold a single ball without helping his teammates. Bad play by Lukaku, who needs to be much sharper to help his teammates.
You can follow EL PAÍS Deportes in Facebook And Xor sign up here to receive our weekly newsletter.