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Monday’s round of 16 matchup at UEFA Euro 2024 is a replay of the FIFA 2018 World Cup semifinal between France and Belgium and headlines the first round of knockout stage matches. Didier Deschamps’ France side comes up against Domenico Tedesco’s side in Düsseldorf on Monday with neither nation yet at the top of ther games in Germany. Both the French and the Belgians unexpectedly finished second in their respective groups while Kylian Mbappe is only just off the mark after scoring in the draw with eliminated Poland in Group D after suffering a broken nose in France’s first match of the tournament.
Although Mike Maignan initially denied Robert Lewandowski an equalizer from the penalty spot, the game did finish level which was as unexpected as Austria’s win over the Netherlands which sent them through as group winners ahead of Les Bleus. This has landed France on the same side of the Euro knockout phase draw as Germany, Portugal and Spain. However, they do boats one of the meanest defenses in this competition which will be of concern for Belgium.
The Red Devils have been scoreless in two of their three games and are averaging less than a goal per game so far, after a shock loss to Slovakia, a recovery win over Group E winners Romania and then a goalless draw with eliminated Ukraine. Romelu Lukaku is yet to get off the mark up top and had Koen Casteels not been sharper, it could perhaps have been worse for Tedesco’s side. Only Serbia, who scored just once, scored fewer goals than both the Belgians and the French this summer.
The 2018 World Cup semifinal will be on the minds of many with Les Bleus inflicting heartache on their neighbors. There was also a 3-2 loss in a 2021 UEFA Nations League semi which will be extra motivation for Tedesco and his players. Deschamps and his group will be eyeing Portugal in the quarterfinals hoping for a chance to avenge their Euro 2016 final loss on home soil.
Here are our storylines, how you can watch the match and more:
Neither side won their group with France finishing behind Austria in Group D but ahead of the Netherlands who made it through as a third-placed side. Belgium did not win Group E either, finishing behind Romania but ahead of Slovakia as all four teams had four points each — one fewer than the French — in this edition’s most balanced group. Although Les Bleus are unbeaten, the Red Devils have already lost once in Germany.
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France: It is no real surprise to see France vice-captain Antoine Griezmann return to the starting XI after being a substitute vs. Poland. Talismanic over the years and a true creative hub, it was unexpected to see Didier Deschamps elect to do without the Atletico Madrid man for the final game of the group phase. Despite creating a number of good opportunities, again, the problem was the finishing and not the creation which brings Griezmann back into play. Going without Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele for this one is not a surprise at all. Despite winning the penalty against Poland, Dembele has been wateful in front of goal and too inconsistent which was also his issue at club level. Perhaps this will shock him into a response in a similar way to how Deschamps might have hoped to elicit a response from Griezmann, but this feels like the start of France addressing their lack of bite in attack.
Unlucky to be back out of the XI here, PSG talent Bradley Barcola provided a more direct threat against Poland and was by no means the weakest link in a front line which struggled to find a way past Lukasz Skorupski. A great imact substitute to have, Deschamps will hope that he does not neeed Barcola’s direct approach from the off. Arguably themost surprising choice is Inter’s Marcus Thuram coming back in alongside Mbappe despite struggling to look dangerous in front of goal in Germany. Belgium’s defensive difficulties are known but this move effectively confirms Olivier Giroud is no longer a major part of Deschamps’ thinking after years of service.
Confirmed France XI: Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Hernandez; Kante, Tchouameni, Rabiot; Griezmann; Thuram, Mbappe (c).
Belgium: Tedesco has gone without Dodi Lukebakio and Leandro Trossard in attack with Yannick Carrasco coming into midfield and Lois Openda flanking Romelu Lukaku along with Jeremy Doku. Wout Faes could be suspended for the quarterfinals if he is booked but his heroics to deny Ukraine’s Artem Dovbyk underlined his starter credentials. Axel Witsel and Thomas Meunier were always doubts and unlikely to feature much here — if at all — with only the former making the bench.
Confirmed Belgium XI: Casteels; Castagne, Faes, Vertonghen, Theate; De Bruyne (c), Onana, Carrasco; Openda, Lukaku, Doku.
France need to be sharper in attack but are tight at the back while Belgium are neither sharp enough up top nor tight enough at the back. Although close at times, it should ultimately be the French marching on to the quarterfinals. Pick: France 2, Belgium 0.
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