Despite a lackluster performance from star player Kylian Mbappé, France has advanced to the quarterfinals of the European Championship with a 1-0 victory over Belgium. In a match that failed to live up to its hype as a heavyweight showdown between neighboring teams, Randal Kolo Muani's 85th-minute shot deflected off a Belgium defender and went in for the only goal of the match. The own-goal was the ninth such score at Euro 2024, and while UEFA credited it to Kolo Muani, the French team is just happy to have secured their spot in the next round.
Despite high expectations, Belgium's national football team has been eliminated from the Euro 2024 tournament following a disappointing 1-0 defeat to France in the last 16. The defeat marks the end of a disappointing campaign for the Red Devils, who failed to live up to their billing as one of the favorites for the trophy.
Under new manager Domenico Tedesco, Belgium looked disjointed and out of sorts throughout the tournament. The team's star player, Kevin De Bruyne, was well below his best, and the rest of the squad failed to step up in his absence.
France, on the other hand, were much more impressive. Despite missing several key players through injury, the reigning world champions were well-organized and clinical in their performance. Randal Kolo Muani's 85th-minute goal was enough to secure a deserved victory.
The defeat is a major disappointment for Belgium, who have now failed to win a major trophy since the 1980s. The team will now need to regroup and reassess their approach ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
1. Why did Belgium perform so poorly at Euro 2024?
There were a number of factors that contributed to Belgium's poor performance at Euro 2024. The team was lacking in leadership and organization, and their star player, Kevin De Bruyne, was not at his best. The team also struggled to create chances and score goals.
2. What went wrong for Domenico Tedesco?
Tedesco was appointed as Belgium manager in February 2023, and he was tasked with turning around the team's fortunes. However, he failed to make a significant impact, and the team's performance actually declined under his leadership.
3. What does the future hold for Belgium?
It is too early to say what the future holds for Belgium. The team will need to regroup and reassess their approach ahead of the 2026 World Cup. They will need to find a new manager, and they will need to develop a more cohesive and effective style of play.
4. What are the lessons that Belgium can learn from this experience?
Belgium can learn a number of lessons from their disappointing performance at Euro 2024. They need to be more organized and disciplined, and they need to find a way to get their star players performing at their best. They also need to develop a more consistent and effective style of play.
5. What is the impact of this defeat on Belgium's chances of winning a major trophy?
This defeat is a major setback for Belgium's chances of winning a major trophy. The team has now failed to win a trophy since the 1980s, and they will need to improve significantly if they want to challenge for the World Cup or European Championship in the future.
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