Two own-goals and a penalty: France’s misfiring Euro 2024 attack have defence to thank

The final whistle sounded and William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano turned and raced towards each other, like a couple of young sweethearts reuniting after a summer apart. It was more bearhug than embrace and after finally unpicking themselves from each other’s arms, they looked behind and made a beeline for their goalkeeper, Mike Maignan, and another round of backslapping.

This was another 90 minutes when France’s star-studded attack again failed to spark into life but it could remain that way for the rest of this tournament and do little to dampen belief that Les Bleus can prevail in Berlin on July 14. With a defensive basis this strong, and Saliba and Upamecano celebrating every block, clearance and tackle like they had just rifled one into the top corner, Didier Deschamps’ side are going to take some shifting, goals or not.

It was not an abundance of attacking riches, you may remember, that carried Spain to World Cup glory in 2010, it was their defence. Three successive 1-0 victories in the knockout stages set up a final with the Netherlands which yes, you have guessed it, they won 1-0.

France may look a little flat upfront but they are formidable at the back and in their overall defensive structure. Romelu Lukaku likes to try to throw his weight around but Belgium’s hapless centre-forward was bullied throughout by the uncompromising Saliba and Upamecano. At right-back, Jules Kounde picked up the man of the match award and kept Jeremy Doku on the tightest of reins while still managing to be France’s brightest attacking outlet. Left-back Theo Hernández’s key contribution was a perfectly timed recovery challenge on Yannick Carrasco on the hour that he celebrated ferociously, beating his chest and letting out a huge roar. Maignan made important saves from Kevin De Bruyne, twice, and Lukaku. In the midfield hole, Aurélien Tchouaméni was the perfect sentry. And it is just as well they are rather good at the defending bit.

Four games into this tournament, a France player has still to score from open play. Two of their three goals have been scored by opponents and the other was a penalty. Antoine Griezmann returned to the team but was stationed wide on the right with licence to cut in and, while he worked hard out of possession, he never really grabbed hold of the game. Marcus Thuram, deployed through the middle, had a forgettable game and was withdrawn for Randal Kolo Muani.

Like their opening match against Austria, this game was settled by an own goal, poor Jan Vertonghen watching substitute Kolo Muani’s cross-cum-shot bounce off his leg and in with five minutes of normal time remaining of an attritional affair.

It remains to be seen if this, at 37, is Vertonghen’s 156th and final game for his country but it was not the way he would have wanted to bow out if it is and his mood will doubtless have been soured further by the sight of Kylian Mbappé rubbing his nose in it. The pair had been involved in a running dispute before it after Mbappé appeared to take exception to Vertonghen accusing him of diving in the 70th minute but it was still rather tasteless watching France’s captain get up in the former Spurs defender’s face after his misfortune. Glenn Nyberg, the Swedish referee who had earlier spoken to the pair after their initial spat, gave Mbappe a stern warning.

Mbappé, again in a protective mask Deschamps expected him to have to wear for the rest of the tournament, had been as guilty as anyone for being wasteful on a night when 16 of France’s 19 shots against Belgium failed to hit the target, the majority blazed over the crossbar. On a sweltering day against Poland in Dortmund, Deschamps claimed the sweat from the mask had stung Mbappé’s eyes and here the France coach suggested it was impacting on his striker’s peripheral vision. “You’ve got the sweat aspect and we know sweat can get in his eyes,” Deschamps said. “He’s getting used to it but it can affect his vision. He says it’s like he’s seeing things in 3D. Everything in front of him is fine but there’s a delay with his peripheral vision. But he’ll have to get used to it over the coming weeks or months.”

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the peripheral vision of the all-seeing Saliba or Upamecano. Bar that one opportunity that Maignan dived low to keep out in the second half, Lukaku barely had sight of goal, France’s centre-halves dominating him physically and nonchalantly sweeping up around the cumbersome Belgium striker when his first touch failed him. Which it did. Often. This was a crumpled face emoji of a performance from the 31-year-old Lukaku and you have to wonder how much longer some of Belgium’s old stagers have left for their country now.

Kevin De Bruyne was more involved once Domenico Tedesco switched from 4-4-2 to 4-2-3-1 and pushed the Manchester City midfielder further upfield and the 33-year-old was frustrated not to do better when he slammed a shot at Maignan three minutes before France scored. It started after Lukaku, not for the first time, had been unable to hold up the ball. France got themselves down Belgium’s right where Mbappe found Hernandez who cut inside. The ball was circulated between Griezmann, Kounde and N’Golo Kanté into Kolo Muani whose shot after turning Vertonghen took a wicked deflection and left the Belgium goalkeeper Koen Casteels no chance.

France vs Belgium: As it happened . . .

07:02 PM BST

Thom Gibbs’s Audio Verdict

06:51 PM BST

Full time: France 1 Belgium 0

That’s the lot.

06:47 PM BST

90 mins: France 1 Belgium 0

Ref has got himself in the way of the ball.

Orel Mangala  rugby tackles Randal Kolo Muani and that’s a booking.

A few minutes left

06:44 PM BST

GOAL! France 1 Belgium 0 (Vertonghen OG 85)

France have the lead! They have the ball in the Belgian final third, Kounde keeping it alive. Kolo Muani turns and drives out goal He’s putting himself about well. Shoots, big deflection off Vertonghen gives the keeper no chance, and that’s 3-0.

06:40 PM BST

80 mins: France 0 Belgium 0

Suddenly Kevin De Bruyne gets forward, drives at goal and smacks it on target. Decent save.

Thom Gibbs: “It is there to be won, which you suspect was the Belgian plan all along. Get within touching distance and nick it. Quite hard to see who’s going to do that, though. Lukaku, as has previously been mentioned, has been pretty rank. De Bruyne has had his best effort saved. Doku too peripheral. Yet it is Belgium who look more threatening as we reach the closing minutes. Come on lads, do it for Hergé.”

06:35 PM BST

75 mins: France 0 Belgium 0

15 mins left and both sides are waking up. Verthonghen booked after a tussle.

06:30 PM BST

71 mins: France 0 Belgium 0

At last Belgium trouble the... well, not the scorers. But the Opta stats bods anyway. They’ve had a shot on target, when Lukaku broke free.

Back to James Ducker: “And just as I say that ... Lukaku finally gets a sight of goal and forces a save from Maignan. The chance originates with a classic De Bruyne pass, precisely why he’s been moved further upfield.”

06:29 PM BST

68 mins: France 0 Belgium 0

Antoine Griezmann plates it up for Aurelien Tchouameni, who blooters (yet another) shot miles over.

06:28 PM BST

Abysmal so far

Belgium have switched system from 4-4-2 to a 4-2-3-1 with the introduction of Mangala in a bid to try and get De Bruyne on the ball in more advanced areas. It hasn’t helped that Lukaku has been abysmal in this game so far.

06:24 PM BST

64 mins: France 0 Belgium 0

Orel Mangala replacing Lois Openda, which should hopefully free de Bruyne up to go forward.

06:19 PM BST

61 mins: France 0 Belgium 0

Hernandez with a brilliant covering tackle to deny Carrasco. France had played themselves into trouble there.

06:17 PM BST

False Flag?

There’s a large square flag waving to the right of Belgium’s goal as the French look at it, a red white and blue target. It’s some way wide of the goal. Perhaps it should be moved directly behind it? Very confusing, especially for any archers in the French teams.

It is not going well for Lukaku, ball seems to be repelled by his shins. At one point a few minutes ago he was contesting a high ball with Saliba, holding off the Arsenal defender with his back, then suddenly Saliba was in front of him. Not sure how you get the wrong side of your defender, as an attacker, when attempting to stand your ground. Revolutionary.

06:16 PM BST

57 mins: France 0 Belgium 0

Doku with an absolutely Oscar worthy dive, hurls himself into the air with rotation, triple salko, and sticks the landing, already pleading.

06:14 PM BST

54 mins: France 0 Belgium 0

Koundé tears it up down the right and crosses for Mbappe, but the ball is just behind him and he cannot get his feet right.

06:11 PM BST

49 mins: France 0 Belgium 0

Mbappe cuts inside and this is a lot more the ticket! Whips his shot just over.

06:08 PM BST

47 mins: France 0 Belgium 0

Ball breaks to Tchouameni, who curls it with the side foot towards goal. It deflects of Faes and keeper has to look lively.

06:02 PM BST

Here we go for

the second half

05:57 PM BST

Here is James Ducker

“France just can’t get Mbappe in the game. He’s the sort that can create something out of nothing and it very much feels like it’s going to take a moment of individual brilliance to kickstart this game. Not a great deal is happening for either side.”

05:52 PM BST

Gibbs going gonzo?

Not a match to trouble the end-of-tournament montage makers so far. Suppose this is the other side of the coin in the knockout stages. Yes the jeopardy goes up and the quality is higher, but this has been pretty cagey after a promising start for France.

Off for a refreshing Ibuprofen and a large water, although tempted to go gonzo for the second half and neck three swift Belgian-strength beers.

05:49 PM BST

Half time: France 0 Belgium 0

I can’t get into it. All these excellent players and it’s just not holding the attention. Belgium have had one shot, and not on target.

I’m sure Thom Gibbs will have something more coherent to add.

05:47 PM BST

45 mins: France 0 Belgium 0

Mbappe with great feet down the left, cuts the ball back, and Aurelien Tchouameni wallops it miles over. That’ll do it for a disappointing half.

05:45 PM BST

44 mins: France 0 Belgium 0

France have a corner and take it short. Update: they waste it.

05:42 PM BST

‘KDB dropping back’

De Bruyne has dropped back from his position in central midfield at times as it has become clear that Belgium’s full-backs are not all that good at building attacks themselves. One promising raking pass so far from KDB but it was overhit and easily snaffled by Maignan.

You’d like to see their wide players on the ball more. Carrasco has done a passable Eden Hazard impression a couple of times but Doku has been basically silent. Might help if Lukaku pitched in with more than the odd failure to control the ball.

France, save the cross and close header from Thuram, also back to looking quite unconvincing after a good start. Almost Englandesque. Although England would have killed for a good start and close header last night, until it all got silly at the end.

05:41 PM BST

35 mins: France 0 Belgium 0

Ally McCoist on that last play: “That’s marvellous. It’s a beautiful switch of play and good touch and the centre-forward gets across his man. But it is a chance. For all the beautiful football there has been - not as much today - it’s a simple delivery and header. Good effort, unlucky.”

05:35 PM BST

34 mins: France 0 Belgium 0

Nicely old fashioned bit of play from France: down the right flank, sling the cross in. Thuram heads it wide.

05:33 PM BST

31 mins: France 0 Belgium 0

Some sloppy play from both sies. Doku cannot keep the ball in when it’s smashed at him, needlessly. Now Hernandez blooters his cross wide.

05:28 PM BST

‘Good with his feet’

Maignan taking the modern “keeper who’s good with his feet” trait to extremes by electing to save De Bruyne’s free kick with a tackle. Odd, but did the job I suppose.

Otherwise It’s well-poised* but looking shaky for Belgium. Fine to do the ball-surrendering thing but they have to be cleverer on the rare occasions they find themselves in possession. Aimless punt forward from Theate was particularly wasteful. France stroking about with confidence and Mbappe has reached that reputational point, fairly, where his very presence is ominous.

* - as ever, code for a bit dull.

05:27 PM BST

27 mins: France 0 Belgium 0

This one is yet to really catch fire but Doku can liven any situation up. Doku purrs down the left, it’s slipped in, and Carrasco fires at goal. He wants a handball but nah.

05:26 PM BST

26 mins: France 0 Belgium 0

Antoine Griezmann has fouled Jeremy Doku.

05:25 PM BST

22 mins: France 0 Belgium 0

Freekick is whipped in and saved in the most eccentric way by Maignan, who sort of waits for the ball to arrive and thrusts at it. Well, he keeps it out by hook or by crook.

05:20 PM BST

18 mins: France 0 Belgium 0

Some of Belgium’s big boys yet to show. KDB for one.

Rabiot gets another wild and woolly shot away

05:17 PM BST

Thom Gibbs tactical analysis

Quite a comforting feeling gazing on this from a great height in the press box to see Belgium’s numbers 10 and 5 and remember that yes, it’s still Lukaku and Vertonghen. Tipped Lukaku pre-tournament as top scorer, which he probably should be on the basis of chances missed in the first group game alone. He’d need three goals today to race to the top of the charts. Not sure he’s touched it yet, but the night is young.

Mbappe started the game hanging out on the left, basically tethered to the touchline. There is a promising fluidity to their attacking three, Griezmann nominally on the right but drifting behind Thuram in the middle at times. They are closing down Belgium well too, leading from the front, the most effective French press since this morning’s coffee.

Looks like Belgium are in a 4-4-2 which is charmingly retro, as is the bouncing tied hair of full-back Arthur Theate. Almost from kick-off they seemed to commit to a revolutionary possession-less gameplan. Seems a shame with De Bruyne and Doku on the pitch.

05:16 PM BST

15 mins: France 0 Belgium 0

Mbappe has a shot, it is deflected over. But the ref has been given a corner. Tchouaméni makes this point loudly and bitterly and is booked for so doing.

05:14 PM BST

13 mins: France 0 Belgium 0

France the side asking more questions but not really troubled Belgium yet.

05:10 PM BST

9 mins: France 0 Belgium 0

Griezmann flashes through and has a shot but that’s easy for the Belgian keeper.

05:07 PM BST

6 mins: France 0 Belgium 0

Thuram giving the Belgian defence plenty to think about. Three of them gang up on him. Theate eventually the man who fouls.

05:03 PM BST

1 mins: France 0 Belgium 0

France definitely the first to show, and Rabiot has had a dibble well wide.

05:00 PM BST

France

will kick off.

04:57 PM BST

Anthem time

The French win this section hands down, obviously.

04:55 PM BST

‘Deafening’

BREAKING: I have a headache. Think one too many coffees. But what is not helping is the “pre-match ceremony” which features roughly 100 youths and some large flags. The PA system is, as ever, set to “please put your dog indoors” level of deafening.

Aerial shots of various German stadiums on the big screen, players you have heard of celebrating and a lovely cartoon of miscellaneous fans enjoying themselves at a picnic or something.

Meanwhile, Belgium fans continue with their own organic noise. Maybe we might be okay in a world where only finals and first games included a ceremony element?

04:40 PM BST

Bad musical news

Bad news from the continent, the mainlanders have cottoned on to Sweet Caroline. Belgium fans happily “BOM-BOM-BOM!”-ing along with the Neil Diamond staple which has of course had a significant donk added, as is the traditional style. If it’s not happy hardcore the Benelux region simply does not care.

I ranked all the fans at the Euros last week and felt a little bit harsh putting France at the bottom. Feeling vindicated this evening, they are here but basically silent. All the noise coming from the red corner and on the tram on the way to the stadium the shirt popularity index went: 1. Belgium 2. Other nations 3. France. Not good enough.

A lot of warming up happening on the pitch currently. including the refereeing team who are moving in an eerily synchronised way. Look out for some brilliant joined-up officiating tonight from Glenn Nyberg and his friends from Sweden.

04:35 PM BST

Christian Karembeu

is pitch side. Hair still magnif. That ITV Scottish lady is putting the questions to him. Not sure the double Champions League winner is entirely on top of what she’s saying, it’s v loud there, but everyone seems to be having a good time.

04:25 PM BST

And here’s the French outfit

04:24 PM BST

Here’s how Belgium might line up

04:17 PM BST

Here is a scene setter from Ben Green

Two of the most heavily fancied but currently underwhelming European giants meet down in Dusseldorf on derby day. Both teams finished in second place in their groups, with the French failing to score in open play and the Belgians struggling to scrape through a group lacking in real star quality, writes Ben Green.

Both teams possess firepower but have found it challenging to leave their mark on the tournament. Compared to the likes of Spain, Germany and Portugal, the northern European neighbours are yet to leave a statement of intent. Three weeks ago, this fixture would have been billed as a world title heavyweight clash. Currently, it is more resemblant of a damp squib of an amateur bout where the whole 90 minutes are spent feeling the opposition out.

After a fortunate point against The Netherlands and a meek and uninspiring draw to Poland, you would be forgiven for doubting that this French team came so close in Qatar just 17 months ago. However, with Griezmann and Mbappé both set to start, France could return to their typically rigorous yet flair-filled style.

Failing to break down a resolute Ukraine, Belgium slipped to second place in Group E, depriving themselves of a place in the more favourable half of the bracket. Despite looking strong at the back, the Red Devils have struggled to convert possession into goals. Well, they have, but Romelu Lukaku’s ability to stray offside by the barest of margins has limited this.

For the remainder of Belgium’s golden generation, this is one final chance. One final chance to live up to the hype and rankings they have garnered over the previous decade. It is also a chance for revenge. Eliminated by France in a tight 1-0 affair in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, today offers a shot at redemption. Defeat could spell the last time we see the likes of Kevin de Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Jan Vertonghen in a major international tournament.

Similar narratives dominate the build-up for Les Bleus. They suffered heartbreak to Portugal on home soil in 2016 and bowed out at this stage to Switzerland last time out. Together, these are not dreadful performances; but there is that feeling that this talented group could achieve more. Today is a test of the grit and desire of this young French team, rather than one of skill. It will test if they have the leadership and desire to get past a determined Belgian side fighting for pride and legacy.

One team must bid Euro 2024 farewell after today. For both Belgium and France, the time is now. There are no second chances anymore.

The winner will play either Slovenia or Portugal.

04:15 PM BST

ITV have got this match

nice to Gaizka Mendieta getting another run out. Regrettably, the focus at the moment is still on England’s awfulness.

04:05 PM BST

Les teams

France: Maignan, Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Hernandez, Tchouameni, Kante, Rabiot, Griezmann, Thuram, Mbappe. Subs: Samba, Pavard, Mendy, Camavinga, Giroud, Dembele, Muani, Zaire Emery, Fofana, Coman, Clauss, Areola, Konate, Barcola.

Belgium: Casteels, Castagne, Faes, Vertonghen, Theate, De Bruyne, Onana, Doku, Openda, Carrasco, Lukaku. Subs: Debast, Witsel, Tielemans, Trossard, Kaminski, Sels, Lukebakio, Vranckx, De Ketelaere, Mangala, Bakayoko, Vermeeren, De Cuyper.

Referee: Glenn Nyberg (Sweden)

03:47 PM BST

Who do you think will win?

03:39 PM BST

Match preview

It’s the masked man versus a group of players who have all too often been unmasked as bottling it on the big stage. It feels like Belgium have been tipped as dark horses for every World Cup and Euros for the best part of a decade now, and given their glittering array of talent, you can see why. But they’ve never really come close to winning a trophy and they now have to do it the hard way, because this side of the draw is very tough. Same obviously applies to France. Winner of this most likely plays Portugal next, and then one of Spain and Germany. England, meanwhile, have to play Guatemala and Chad Under 9s in order to lose in reach the Final. Don’t seem fair but them’s the breaks. And there’s every chance Chad Under 9s will be too strong for Gareth’s mob.

But let us not tarry on that unpleasantness, but savour instead a classy match up between two sides chock full of quality players. We will have the team news shortly. One ma who sill definitely feature is Kylian Mbappe, who will be wearing a mask.

“I didn’t think it would be, but playing with a mask is absolutely horrible,” Mbappe said before the game in Dusseldorf.

“I have changed [the mask] because every time there was something that wasn’t right.

“It is really difficult. It limits your vision and the sweat gets blocked up so you have to take it off to let it run away.

“As soon as I can take it off I will do, but I don’t have a choice. That is how my tournament is going to be. I can only play like that.

“It is really annoying, but I have to just say thanks to the mask.”