France and Belgium are set to face off in the round of 16 at Euro 2024, bringing high stakes to the match. Despite being ranked as the top two European nations by FIFA (France at No. 2 and Belgium at No. 3), both teams have faced criticism for their performances in the tournament so far.
One key player to watch in the match is Kylian Mbappé, who will be wearing a protective mask due to a broken nose. The France captain has only scored one goal in his two appearances, and will be looking to improve on his performance to match his previous tournament-high of eight goals at the last World Cup.
Criticism has also been directed at the style of play of both teams, with France coach Didier Deschamps brushing off concerns and urging critics to change the channel if they don’t like what they see. Belgium captain Kevin De Bruyne has also faced scrutiny for the team’s lackluster performances, with tensions running high after a draw against Ukraine.
Belgium will need to step up their game if they hope to advance past the quarterfinals, where they have been eliminated in the past two Euros. Striker Romelu Lukaku, who has had three goals disallowed by video review, will be looking to make an impact in the match.
In team news, Antoine Griezmann is expected to return to France’s lineup, while Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco is still undecided on his right-wing options. The match will see Mbappé potentially starting on the left wing, posing a threat to Belgium’s defense.
With Mbappé scoring his first goal at a European Championship against Poland, France will be looking to avoid a repeat of their round of 16 exit at the last Euros. Belgium, on the other hand, has only won one out of their last six meetings with France.
As the teams prepare to face off, tensions are high and both sides are eager to secure a spot in the quarterfinals. The winner of the match will go on to play either Portugal or Slovenia in the next round, adding to the pressure of the high-stakes game.
Despite the criticism and doubts surrounding both teams, players like Eduardo Camavinga and Timothy Castagne remain confident in their abilities to deliver a strong performance on the field. With both teams looking to prove their critics wrong, the France vs. Belgium clash is sure to be an intense and closely contested match at Euro 2024.