By failing to complete the first phase of Euro 2024 at the helm of its group, the France team has clearly played with fire. First disappointment quickly recorded: the Blues fell into the wrong part of the table, with Portugal potentially in the quarter, and the survivor of a probable Germany-Spain in the half. But by finishing second in their group, Didier Deschamps’ men also reserved a formidable eighth.
In group E in fact, nothing has changed in this third and final lift of the first phase. Romania, surprise leader, retained its status by neutralizing Slovakia (1-1) – Marin (37e) having responded to Duda (24eBelgium, for its part, was unable to take power, forced into a goalless draw by a cruelly eliminated Ukraine, despite having four points on the clock.
Revenge to be taken for the Belgians
It is therefore the Red Devils who will face Kylian Mbappé’s teammates next Monday in Düsseldorf (kick-off at 6 p.m.), in the round of 16 of Euro 2024. A hell of a poster in perspective, remake of the famous semi-final of the 2018 World Cup (1-0 victory for the Blues, future world champions).
The last confrontation between the two neighboring nations dates back to October 2021: a Nations League semi-final played in Turin and won by France after a spectacular match (3-2). The Blues and Devils will also meet in the Nations League next September and October. A true classic.
