PLAYER RATINGS: Mike Maignan was at his sharpest to keep France in it but which Belgian star delivered a dreadful display to earn 4/10?

France reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Belgium.

An effort from Randal Kolo Muani in the 85th minute was pushed into the goal by Jan Vertonghen, which proved to be the difference between the two teams.

Although it was not an exciting encounter, France still took a big step forward.

France will face either Portugal or Slovenia in the quarter-finals.

Tom Collomosse of Mail Sport assesses the performances of both groups of players.

France (4-3-3)

MIKE MAIGNAN 7.5

Nearly embarrassed by a De Bruyne free-kick which he managed to avoid with his feet and made a sharp save at the near post from a deflected shot from Lukaku – and then an even better effort to keep De Bruyne out again.

JULES KOUNDE 7

An effective outlet for France as an overlapping right-back, he looked shaky when pitted against Doku. Like the battle between Hernandez and Carrasco on the French left, this was another fascinating tussle between two strong players

DAYOT UPAMECANO 6.5

Belgium’s wait-and-see attitude left him little to do, although he had an awkward moment when he was swung by Openda. Probably glad it was Openda, rather than Lukaku, who was substituted.

WILLEM SALIBA 7

His pace and keen sense of position allowed France to play high up the pitch, although he was almost punished for taking too many risks in possession. Like his partner, however, he had few problems against Lukaku.

THEO HERNANDEZ7

Tried to support the attack on the left and had a good battle with Carrasco, including a brilliant recovery challenge to deny the winger on the hour mark. A strong performance from the AC Milan man.

NGOLO SIDE 6.5

The former Chelsea midfielder played on the right of the three-man midfield, usually operating in both phases of the game and always ready when his country needed him.

AURELIEN TCHOUAMENI 7

Should have put France ahead after great work from Mbappe and was then thwarted by a great save from Casteels on his deflected shot. Controlled the pace well in the centre and made sharp attacks forward.

ADRIEN RABIOT 6

Received a yellow card in the first half for passing Doku. He should have done more with the ball, but did block a shot from Carrasco.

ANTOINE GRIEZMANN 6.5

Drifted from the right and played typically clever passes while lending a hand in defence. Got a ticket for a trip to Doku. Not his best game, but still made a valuable contribution to the win.

MARCUS THURAM 5.5

Started through the middle with Mbappe wide and wasted two good headers from Kounde crosses. Replaced by Kolo Muani after an hour

KYLIAN MBAPPE 7

He may be wearing a mask, but his qualities are hard to hide. One burst brought a chance for Tchouameni, another ended with a curling shot that just went over the bar. Should have hit the ball from an even better position, as time was ticking away.

COMPONENTS

RANDAL KOLO MUANI 6.5

A direct replacement for Thuram through the middle, but a different kind of striker who tried to trouble the Belgian central defenders with his constant movement. Luck was on his side when his misfired shot hit Vertonghen and flew past Casteels to settle the equaliser.

Belgium (4-4-2)

KOEN CASTEELS 7.5

Looked calm and confident and saved a great strike from Tchouameni early in the second half. Was incredibly unlucky with Kolo Muani’s goal, which took a huge deflection off Vertonghen.

TIMOTHY CASTAGNE 6

One of the toughest jobs in world football is marking Mbappé. Although Castagne performed admirably, he was twice passed by the French captain.

WOUT FAES 7

With Belgium defending deep, his lack of pace was rarely exposed and he made a number of key interceptions when France threatened to get around the defence.

JAN VERTONGHEN 6.5

The 37-year-old revelled in his experience and did what he had to do, having an entertaining tirade against Mbappe as his opponent stumbled in search of a penalty. Booked.

ARTHUR THEATER 6.5

I had to keep an eye on both Griezmann and Kounde. He loves playing from right back and forward and he performed both roles adeptly, although he had almost nothing to offer in attack.

YANNICK CARRASCO 6.5

Duel with Hernandez up and down the Belgian right flank. Rabiot blocked one attempt well and was a fraction too late with another, allowing Hernandez to race back and block.

AMADOU ONANA 6.5

He held his position well, but since Belgium were outnumbered in the centre, he had little chance to break forward and help his attackers.

KEVIN DE BRUYNE 6.5

Unknown role as central midfielder in a 4-4-2 for the first hour, until Tedesco rearranged and pushed his main man closer to Lukaku. Still at the heart of Belgium’s best moments and a fine save from Maignan in the closing stages.

JEREMY DOKU7.5

A beautiful sight in full flight, when Belgium found him in the forward positions, Kounde and Griezmann made him back off. And although he came and went from time to time, France always had to be wary of the Manchester City player.

LOIS OPENDA 5.5

A turn and a cross was all he managed in the first half, but he still did more than Lukaku on the pitch. He was replaced by Mangala midway through the second half as Belgium pushed De Bruyne further forward.

ROMELU LUKAKU 4

Even isolated, the striker still delivered a terrible performance, barely troubling the French central defenders and wasting his first chance too close to Maignan when he could have scored. Apparently irreplaceable.

COMPONENTS

OREL MANGALA 6

Smart pass to Lukaku should have yielded more than a hit-and-hope thrash towards Maignan that was relatively easy to stop. Yellow card for a late foul on Kolo Muani.