Didier Deschamps may have quietly welcomed facing Belgium again, given they are France’s most frequent opponent with 75 previous encounters—far more than any other team. France boasts 26 victories over Belgium, their highest against any nation, and has historically performed well against them in major tournaments.
The last time these teams met in a major tournament was the 2018 World Cup semi-final, where France emerged victorious with a 1-0 win, a result etched in Belgian footballing memory.
This encounter at EURO 2024 offers Belgium a chance for redemption after a second-place finish in their group, mirroring France’s own performance. Both teams have struggled to convert chances in front of goal, evident from their low conversion rates among the advancing teams.
The match will feature dynamic attacking play, with France notably registering their highest number of shots inside the opponent’s penalty area during the group stage. Meanwhile, Belgium, led by prolific forward Romelu Lukaku, will look to capitalize on their chances more effectively.
Defensively, both teams have shown resilience, each boasting two clean sheets in the tournament so far. This solidity will be crucial as they aim to nullify the attacking threats posed by the likes of Kevin De Bruyne for Belgium and Kylian Mbappe for France.
With such evenly matched statistics and history between them, the stage is set for a fiercely contested encounter, likely to be decided by fine margins. France’s experience in handling high-pressure situations in major tournaments could give them a slight edge, but Belgium, eager for revenge, will be determined to rewrite their history against their old foes.
