Another frustrating match for Kylian Mbapp. Another underwhelming performance by France at the European Championship.
Didier Deschamps isn't concerned his team is into the quarterfinals.
It's beautiful, the France coach said after Les Bleus relied on the ninth own-goal scored at Euro 2024 to squeeze past Belgium 1-0 in the round of 16 on Monday.
A heavyweight match between neighbors and teams ranked No. 2 (France) and No. 3 (Belgium) failed to live up to its billing, and the nature of the only goal proved to be fitting.
Randal Kolo Muani, on as a second-half substitute, turned in the area and sent in a shot in the 85th minute that deflected off Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen and looped over stranded goalkeeper Koen Casteels.
I was lucky enough to get my shot on target, he said of his decisive intervention. It was blocked but it went in. We're very, very happy and very, very proud.
UEFA thought differently about the destination of Kolo Muani's shot and put it down as an own-goal
