This round of 16 match is a replay of the 2018 FIFA World Cup semi-final between France and Belgium and is the main event of the UEFA Euro 2024 round of 16. Didier Deschamps' French team will take on Domenico Tedesco's team in Düsseldorf on Monday, but neither country has yet shown its best side in Germany. Both the French and Belgians unexpectedly finished second in their respective groups, with Kylian Mbappé only just missing score in the draw with eliminated Poland in Group D.
Although Mike Maignan initially denied Robert Lewandowski an equaliser from the penalty spot, the match still ended in a draw, which was as unexpected as Austria's victory over the Netherlands who sent them through as group winners for Les Bleus. This puts France on the same side of the Euro knockout stages as Germany, Portugal and Spain. However, they have one of the nastiest defenses in this competition, which will be a concern for Belgium.
The Red Devils have remained scoreless in two of their three games and are averaging less than one goal per game so far, after a shock defeat to Slovakia, a comeback win over Group E winners Romania and then a goalless draw with eliminated Ukraine. Romelu Lukaku is yet to start and if Koen Casteels had not been sharper, things could have been even worse for Tedesco's team. Only Serbia, who scored just once, scored fewer goals this summer than either the Belgians or the French.
The 2018 World Cup semi-final will be remembered by many, with Les Bleus causing their neighbors heartbreak. There was also a 3-2 defeat in the 2021 UEFA Nations League semi-final, which will provide additional motivation for Tedesco and his players. Deschamps and his group will keep an eye on Portugal in the quarter-finals hoping for a chance to avenge their Euro 2016 final loss on home soil.
Here are our storylines, how to watch the match and more:
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How to watch and odds
- Date: Monday July 1 | Time: 12:00 PM ET
- Place: Dusseldorf Arena – Dusseldorf, Germany
- TV: FS1 | Livestream: Fubo (try for free)
- Chances: France +100; Draw +220; Belgium +320
How they got here
Neither side won their group, with France finishing behind Austria in Group D but ahead of the Netherlands, who finished third. Belgium also failed to win Group E, finishing behind Romania but ahead of Slovakia, as all four teams had four points each – one fewer than the French – in the most balanced group of this edition. although Les Bleus undefeated, the Red Devils have already lost once in Germany.
Team news
France: Mbappe is expected to start again, while Antoine Griezmann should return to the starting line-up as part of a 4-2-3-1 approach. With Adrien Rabiot now able to play on the left, Bradley Barcola is likely to drop out despite an impressive display against Poland. Otherwise, the defence will be on edge, with both N'Golo Kante and Ousmane Dembele likely to continue in their starting roles.
Possible France XI: Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernandez; Kante, Tchouameni; Dembele, Griezmann, Rabiot; Mbappe.
Belgium: Tedesco has Dodi Lukebakio available and he could replace Leandro Trossard, although Yannick Carrasco is also a possibility. Axel Witsel and Thomas Meunier are doubtful and are unlikely to feature much here — if at all. Wout Faes could be suspended for the quarter-finals if he gets a booking, but his heroics in keeping out Ukraine's Artem Dovbyk underlined his starting qualifications.
Possible Belgium XI: Casteels; Castagne, Faes, Vertonghen, Theate; Tielemans, Onana; Doku, De Bruyne, Carrasco; Lukaku.
Prediction
France needs to be sharper in attack, but is tight at the back, while Belgium is not sharp enough in attack and not tight enough at the back. Although it is sometimes close, in the end it should be the French who advance to the quarter-finals. Choose: France 2, Belgium 0.
