The giant meeting between France and Belgium was not a goal-rich history.
In the end, it was an own goal that decided – and sent France on to the quarterfinals in the European Championship.
It was two football giants, but also two teams that had not impressed much so far, against each other in the round of 16 in the European Championship.
World number two France against world number three Belgium offered the audience in Düsseldorf a fairly flat first half, where "Les bleus" were somewhat better, but where the team still had to go to halftime in a 0-0 position.
The second half continued in roughly the same way, with one or two poisonous French situations, but where the aim did not seem to be properly set.
"Many good opportunities"
We had many good opportunities, but also many shots that we didn't hit the goal, notes French national team coach Didier Deschamps in TV4.
Belgium was not without chances either, including Kevin de Bruyne shooting a hard shot that forced French goalkeeper Mike Maignan to intervene, but the feeling was still that it was France that was approaching a leading goal.
However, it wasn't until the 85th minute of the match that the first, and only, goal came.
It was when the 25-year-old substitute Randal Kolo Muani fired a shot that Belgian defender Jan Vertonghen unfortunately steered into his own goal, and 1-0 to France was a fact.
Quarterfinal on Friday
We pressed a lot during the match, but the shots weren't on goal. I was lucky that my shot was blocked and steered in. We're very happy and proud, says Kolo Muani after the win.
No more goals were scored, and France thus eliminated Belgium and advanced to the quarterfinals on Friday. There, they will face the winner between Portugal and Slovenia.
