France fought to the quarterfinals at Euro 2024, needing a hard-fought 1-0 win over Belgium in an always-tense Monday night encounter at Düsseldorf Arena.

It wasn’t until one such moment of misfortune decided the contest that the game remained scoreless. It was the 62nd minute when France turned to Randal Kolo Muani, who gave them an attack tonic with fresh legs. His continuous pressure on the Belgian defence forced a costly error out of Jan Vertonghen, who turned it into his net, handing France a slender lead.

Both teams had moments of attacking flair throughout the game, but there were few clear-cut chances. The French attack tested the Belgian backline; De Bruyne orchestrated attacks for Belgium, threatening the French defence. Neither of them found a way past the opposing goalkeeper.

Didier Deschamps’ team will now focus on the quarterfinals, where they face Portugal.