EURO 2024 Round of 16: France vs Belgium

France vs Belgium: A Clash of European Giants at Euro 2024

The highly anticipated Round of 16 clash between France and Belgium at the 2024 European Championship promises to be a tantalizing encounter between two of the continent's footballing heavyweights. Both teams have underperformed in the group stage, but will be eager to raise their game and book a spot in the quarterfinals.

France's Struggles and Mbappé's Importance

France's group stage campaign was a disappointment, as they managed just five points and finished behind Austria in Group D. Didier Deschamps' side struggled to find the back of the net, scoring only twice in three matches. However, the presence of Kylian Mbappé means they can spark into life at any moment. The Paris Saint-Germain forward will be crucial to France's hopes of advancing, as they look to him to provide the magic that can unlock the Belgian defense.

Belgium's Defensive Woes and Lukaku's Frustrations

Belgium also failed to live up to pre-tournament expectations, suffering a shock defeat to Slovakia in their opening game before progressing as runners-up in Group E. The Red Devils scored just twice in their three matches, with Romelu Lukaku cutting an increasingly frustrated figure after having three goals ruled out by VAR. Belgium's defensive vulnerabilities will be a concern, and they will need to tighten up at the back to have a chance of overcoming their neighbors.

A Tactical Battle Awaits

This match-up could come down to a moment of brilliance to settle the contest, and France boast a greater number of options in the final third capable of producing the goods. However, the tactical battle between the two coaches will be crucial, as they look to find the right balance between attack and defense. Both teams will be wary of the threat posed by their opponents, and the team that can best execute their game plan is likely to emerge victorious.

Prediction

Given the pedigree of both teams and the rivalry between these two neighbors, this promises to be a closely contested affair. While France may have the slight edge in terms of individual quality, Belgium's defensive resilience could prove to be the difference. In a tight and cagey encounter, it should be is France 1-0 Belgium.

The Bad Tackle

If this was eight years ago, I'd go all-in and put all chips on Belgium. But, a lot has changed since. The remnants of the golden era of Belgian football have faded.

France has not been magnificent either. They were subpar in the group stage. Regardless, they still have the upperhand in this match.