France vs Belgium, EURO 2024 Highlights: FRA win 1-0, late own goal from Jan Vertonghen sees Mbappe and Co through to quarterfinals

And that's it in Dusseldorf! 

The referee blows his final whistle and the Belgium players go down on their knees. What an agonising exit from the Euros for the number one ranked team in world football. It was a cagey affair through and through but France created more openings, and in the end were rewarded for it. Remember, they're yet to score an outfield goal from at these Euros, two own goals and a Kylian Mbappe penalty have helped them to the quarterfinals. But they'll take it for now. Belgium though, would feel hard done by. Such is the game though. 

FRA 1-0 BEL

Doku cuts in-field from the left and beats two defenders on his way into the box. He's either shooting or looking across goal for a team-mate, but either way the ball is cut out by Saliba and goes behind for a corner!

FRA 1-0 BEL

Three minutes of added time displayed on the fourth official's board. 

Belgium, oh Belgium. Blue bunker is what they've called France. A final hurdle they haven't been able to get past in recent times, including in the 2018 FIFA World Cup semifinals. It was a 1-0 margin which denied them a win back then. And it's the same margin that seems to have knocked them out six years later off another international tournament. 

FRA 1-0 BEL

Carrasco replaced out wide by Dodi Lukebakio. Castagne also comes off, Charles De Ketelaere will replace him. 

FRA 1-0 BEL

RANDAL KOLO MUANI! SUBSTITUTE FOR FRANCE, FINDS THE BACK OF THE NET!

The deadlock is broken at last, and France have a goal with just five minutes left in regulation time. A scuffed shot deflected past Jan Vertonghen and Casteels had no chance at blocking it. An own goal it is. 

FRA 1-0 BEL

Kevin De Bruyne has a low, rasping shot from just outside the France penalty area saved by Maignan after good work down the left by Doku and Lukaku. Belgium throwing men forward but unable to create openings up close of goal, barring that Lukaku shot that was blocked by Maignon. 

FRA 0-0 BEL

Mbappe runs on to a Kounde pass across the face of the Belgium penalty area and shoots high over the bar. That was as close as France have come to scoring today, and they have come close to scoring today but haven't. 

FRA 0-0 BEL

Castagne is brought down by Theo Hernandez down the right flank, almost wrestled down but the referee isn't having any of it. Belgium are livid. Jan Vertonghen and manager Domenico Tadesco are booked by the ref for dissent. 

FRA 0-0 BEL

Straight down the other end, France win a corner, and Saliba almost proves an unlikely goalscorer. He gets a lot of power behind the shot, but yet another chance goes begging for Les Bleus.

FRA 0-0 BEL

Belgium break through. Kevin De Bruyne locates Mangala's run on the left, and the latter sets the ball in path of Lukaku, who has a go from his left foot. A low shot saved by Maignon. 

FRA 0-0 BEL

France build their way forward and Griezmann sets the ball nicely in the path of Tchoumani, almost inviting another one of his long-range cracks. It comes, and it goes over the goal, once again. He's had a fair few of those but failed to find the target each time. 

FRA 0-0 BEL

Adrian Rabiot's tees up Antoine Griezmann from the edge of the box, and the latter fires a right-footed shot just wide on the half-volley!

FRA 0-0 BEL

A couple of changes. Randal Kolo Muani is on for France, replacing the ineffective Marcus Thuram. Belgium bring on Orel Mangala to play alongside Amadou Onana in midfield. This will give KDB the freedom to make inroads deep in the French territory without having to worry about the defensive side of things. 

FRA 0-0 BEL

Belgium are through on goal as Kevin De Bruyne sets up an exciting one vs one confrontation of Carrasco with Maignon but Theo Hernandez slides just in time to block the shot by the six-yard box. What a brilliant piece of defending!

FRA 0-0 BEL

Jeremy Doku had got hold of the ball and was off on a possible counter when one of the French shirts poked a leg in and the Belgian winger tripped down. But the referee didn't deem it as a foul. A minute later as Jules Kounde pulled his shirt - a comparitively soft challenge - and Doku stopped and raised his hands in disbelief, the ref finally blows his whistle for a free kick. 

FRA 0-0 BEL

GREAT CHANCE!

Mbappe catches Belgium's defence out as he cuts inside from the left once more, using his strength to hold off De Bruyne. He lets fly from the edge of the box, but it's always rising over the bar.

FRA 0-0 BEL

Tchoumani tries his luck from distance and his shot, it's deflected off a defender. Koen Casteels gets down low to his left to bat it out for a corner. France subsequently win a free-kick, wide on the left. The ball’s sent in to the mixer, half-cleared and the ball drops nicely for Kounde. His floated delivery into the box is good and Thuram heads over from seven or eight yards.

FRA 0-0 BEL

Here's a stat to blow your brains out: France have failed to score a first-half goal in 3 of their 4 games, with no team has failing to do so more often at Euro 2024 so far - and from a side who've scored SEVEN goals in the last two World Cup Finals!

Belgium knocking around a few passes on the edge of the French penalty box before Carrasco, who has been a bright spot, lofts one through but gets only the French goalkeeper 

FRA 0-0 BEL

Belgium kick us off and promptly give away possession to France. Mabppe through the left channel and he hits a wayward shot that is miles over the Belgium goal.

FRA 0-0 BEL

Here come the players back for the second half and you would hope that it's better than the cagey first half. They just have 45 more mins to make their mark in normal time before the option of extra time and penalties.

The fourth official indicates just the one minute to add to the first half. Mbappe meanwhile, off a corner for France down the left, breaks free. It falls for Tchouameni, who has another go on goal, but blasts it into the third tier. That's about it as the referee blows for halftime in Dusseldorf.

A slow buildup from France in the central channel just outside the Belgium box. Kante runs in from the inside right channel, flicks one in towards Mbappe, who's facing away from the goal and returns it back to the midfielder, who quickly finds Griezmann to his right. A first touch flick from the number 10 though isn't matched by the run from French captain and the attack fizzles out. 

FRA 0-0 BEL

France back at hunting at the opposite end of the field. This time, the ball sets up in the path of Tchouameni, who has a go from outside the box but his shot - from outside his boot - is always swinging away from Casteels' goal and hits one of the Belgium fans in the stands behind. 

FRA 0-0 BEL

Doku with one of his electric skips in between two French defenders but the marking is just too tight for him to produce something. Belgium giving away the ball far too easily in the final third. 

FRA 0-0 BEL

France turn to the long-diagonal down the right hand side once again. This time, Kounde perfectly locates Marcus Thuram by the six-yard box but the latter's header isn't on target. That's the best opportunity anyone from the two teams has had so far today. 

FRA 0-0 BEL

France patient in their buildup with Rabiot and Griezmann exchanging the ball and setting up Theo Hernandez by the edge of the Belgium box on the left but the wing back's first time shot on goal is wayward. Should've gone for the crossing option or waited for his teammates to arrive. 

FRA 0-0 BEL

Belgium on the attack, once again through the left with LoisOpenda progressing the ball through, leaving Upamecano in his tracks and tees in a low cross for Romelu Lukaku, which is deflected away. On the second go, Yannick Carrasco's first time volley ricochets off Rabiot. Belgium are appealing a handball. The ref isn't interested. 

FRA 0-0 BEL

Jeremy Doku is at the end of a ball down the left flank and cuts inside with some flair but is fouled by the edge of the box and the referee shows a yellow to Antoine Griezmann. 

Off the conceded free kick, de Bruyne goes straight at goal - dips it low in front of the French goalkeeper - but Maignon, awkwardly, blocks it with his footin time. 

Meanwhile, as Belgium look to regain the ball in the midfield, Adrian Rabiot also slides in dangerously and becomes the third French player to be booked. 

FRA 0-0 BEL

France have had more of the ball, and more intent in what they do with it. A couple of audacious shots, sure - including an Adrian Rabiot shot that doesn't bother Casteels - but they are enjoying hold  of the ball in the attacking third more than Belgium would want them to this early in the game. 

FRA 0-0 BEL

Yannick Carrasco is freed on the inside right channel and controls a delivery over the top of the midfield but as he races towards the French goal, Hernandez tracks him down on the edge of the box. The Belgian goes down but the referee isn't having it. 

FRA 0-0 BEL

Aurelien Tchouameni, finds Jules Kounde with an excellent diagonal pass. Griezmann gets the ball off the layoff, and crisps in a curling delivery to find Mbappe but it's curled too far away from him. France earn a corner though, and off it Mbappe cuts inside the Belgian box to have a go on goal but it's gone into the stands. Mbappe appeals for a handball, as does Tchouameni, who earns a yellow courtesy of the new rules - only a captain can appeal to the ref. First booking of the game. 

FRA 0-0 BEL

Antoine Griezmann is expected to don the number 10 role, in which shouldered France to their last World Cup final. It was a game changer for the former Barcelona man, who was being wasted on the wing in Catalan. On this occasion, he gets hold of the ball and is confident to have a go from outside the box but his shot is low, lacking venom, and straight at Casteels. 

FRA 0-0 BEL

France regain possession of the ball and move their way forwards. Mbappe combines with Griezmann, whose loopy one-touch delivery in is covered by Castagne and Belgium get the ball away. 

FRA 0-0 BEL

Now Belgium threaten France down the left. Arthur Theate frees Lois Openda on his way to a possible one vs one confrontation against Mike Maignan, who makes the right choice of sweeping the ball clear in time.

FRA 0-0 BEL

Saliba's in support of Mbappe on the left and clips a cross into Rabiot's path on the edge of the box, but he can't bring the ball under control in time and slices a poor half-volley wide.

FRA 0-0 BEL

Kylian Mbappe gets us underway. France in their away white and blue colors - inspired by the famous kit from the early 80s - are attacking from left to right. Belgium in their home colors - maroon and black. 

FRA 0-0 BEL

As the UEFA volunteers take their place on the field, the camera pans to a certain Paul Pogba. Can he inspire his teammates with his presence to change gears in the knockouts after an underwhelming group stage? The two sets of players make way to the Dusseldorf Arena. This has all the makings of a special occasion. A good turnout as well. Nothing like the fans joining in the players for the national anthem. It's the goosebumps from those few seconds the players want to use to channel their best on the field.  

No other player has more shots on target at these Euros than Belgium's Romelu Lukaku (7). 

Having found the back of the net twice in the opener against Slovakia, Lukaku was denied a goal following an offside and a handball confirmation. The Belgian striker hasn't had the best of luck with the national team at tournament football of late. But he'd want to start afresh and be optimisitc against France, if the Red Devils are to have a chance at pulling this off. 

Belgium fans are ready for their matchup vs France ??? pic.twitter.com/T2jb1du4PA

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 1, 2024

England vs Slovakia: A nail-biting encounter. England were trailing and on their way out until Jude Bellingham found the back of the net with a sensational bicycle kick. Skipper Harry Kane would then complete the comeback with a goal in the Extra Time. (HIGHLIGHTS HERE)

Spain vs Georgia: Goals from Fabian Ruiz and Rodri have put Spain on course for the quarterfinals past Georgia at the Cologne Stadium on Sunday. Georgia were off to a positive start when a Le Normand own goal had put them ahead. However, a Rodri thunderbolt levelled the scores in the first-half. (HIGHLIGHTS HERE)

Matches: 76

Belgium: 30 

France: 26

Draw: 19

However, France have won the last two meetings between these two teams that includes the 2018 FIFA World Cup semifinal, that Les Bleus claimed with a 1-0 win. 

France leave out Ousmane Dembele on the bench. This, after the PSG winger failed to make a mark in the group stage. It looks like Deschamps has gone with a 4-4-2 formation with Mbappe and Griezmann recalled to feature up front. 

Domenico Tadesco has also tweaked with Belgium's starting lineup. Leandro Trossard and Youri Tielemans make way for Lois Openda and Yannick Carrasco.

France: Maignan, Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Hernandez, Tchouameni, Kante, Rabiot, Griezmann, Thuram, Mbappe.

Subs: Samba, Pavard, Mendy, Camavinga, Giroud, Dembele, Muani, Zaire Emery, Fofana, Coman, Clauss, Areola, Konate, Barcola.

Belgium: Casteels, Castagne, Faes, Vertonghen, Theate, De Bruyne, Onana, Doku, Openda, Carrasco, Lukaku.

Subs: Debast, Witsel, Tielemans, Trossard, Kaminski, Sels, Lukebakio, Vranckx, De Ketelaere, Mangala, Bakayoko, Vermeeren, De Cuyper.

This has the makings of classic, doesn't it? Loads of the superstars in the offering, and two teams, who haven't played up to their potential yet but meet in a knockout fixture. 

France arrived into the competition as one of the favorites to go all the way. But with just two goals and one win in the group stages, Mbappe and Co have been supremely disappointing. 

Belgium on the other hand, haven't had the axe above them as they have had over recent years. But even for them, Romania, Slovakia and Ukraine was expected to be a comfortable way forward. It proved to be anything but. 

Who will come out on top in the Round of 16? Will France finally change gears and turn as the outfit that teams have feared for good part of the last decade? Or will Belgium produce the biggest upset of this football summer? Stay tuned as we take you through the evening.