The French national team edged past Belgium in the Euro 2024 round of 16, securing a 1-0 victory that sent France into the quarterfinals with momentum on their side.
The decisive moment came in the 85th minute when Belgian defender Jan Vertonghen inadvertently redirected a ball into his own net, sealing the win for the French side and prompting celebrations across their camp.
Coverage of the match came live through the online broadcast by socialbites.ca, which kept fans in Canada and the United States up to date with every twist and turn of the encounter.
Looking ahead, France is set to meet the winner of the Portugal vs. Slovenia clash in the quarterfinals. The two teams were scheduled to face off on July 1, with kickoff slated for 22:00 Moscow time, a time marker that reflects the tournament’s global reach and the varied time zones fans follow from across North America and Europe.
As the tournament progresses, it’s worth noting that the reigning European champions were Italy, who exited Euro 2024 in the round of 16 after a defeat to Switzerland, marking a surprising turn of events for the defending titleholders and shaping a competitive field for the later stages of the competition.
In a broader football context, FIFA and UEFA, acting on IOC recommendations, decided in the spring of 2022 to suspend all Russian clubs and the Russian national team from participation in competitions overseen by these bodies. This suspension prevented Russia from reaching the playoffs for both the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 European Championship in Germany, a move that has had lasting implications for the nation’s football trajectory and its presence in major international tournaments.
During Euro 2024, France’s star forward Kylian Mbappé wore a protective mask on the field, a precautionary measure that drew attention from fans and commentators alike as he continued to contribute offensively while managing the impact of the injury concern that had prompted the protective gear.