France progress to Euro 2024 quarter-finals but goal woes are major concern

DUSSELDORF – France got the better of Belgium once again, grabbing a late winner in a cagey contest on July 1 to take a quarter-final place at the European Championship.

But it was a victory without much conviction.

Randal Kolo Muani’s deflected effort keeps the pre-tournament favourites on course, but a major improvement is needed in front of goal if they are to clear the next hurdle.

Kylian Mbappe showed several bursts of pace and flashes of brilliance to remind the Belgians of their two previous losses to their neighbours, in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and the 2021 Nations League.

In one dazzling move on July 1 he danced past Yannick Carrasco with such ease that the Belgian was left with a resigned look of bemusement on his face.

However, Mbappe’s wizardry was all too infrequent and more alarmingly for France, he fluffed a handful of chances in front of goal that he would ordinarily have buried without much effort.

It could be he is still struggling with the mask he was wearing to protect his broken nose. Mbappe has made it clear he hates it but has to wear it as a necessary protection.

Said coach Didier Deschamps: “We know sweat can get in his eyes. 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.”

The impact of the injury on his confidence remains evident, even if this was a second game after his comeback against Poland last week.

Mbappe is not the only concern. Antoine Griezmann was brought back to play on the wing but could not find the range on his attempts at incisive passes and is also lacking sharpness.

Said Griezmann: “It was still a new system for us, you have to get used to it... I’m not a winger who will take on defenders one on one. I’m more looking to play one-twos. I can play in any position... I will give 100 per cent.”

But he insisted that “it was a great game defensively for the team. Without a great defence, you cannot go far”.

These are key players for France and once their celebrations are over, there will be concern among the team as they plan ahead for the last eight at the weekend.

Initially, the majority of French efforts on the Belgian goal were long-range strikes from Aurelien Tchouameni, only one of which forced a save out of the goalkeeper.

But ultimately, France proved the more ambitious of the two teams and finally forced the breakthrough with five minutes left to play.

Uefa decided to award the winner as an own goal against Jan Vertonghen, in a rather ignominious end to the 37-year-old’s international career, which started in 2007.

That decision also means France still have not managed to score in open play in their four matches so far at Euro 2024, plus their last warmup friendly against Canada.

Les Bleus’ tally over the five games is three goals – two own goals and a penalty converted by Mbappe. Not the sort of statistics that inspire confidence. REUTERS