France vs Belgium | UEFA Euros 2024 | Pre Match
France vs Belgium
INSIGHTS
Pre Match
1
This will be France and Belgium’s 76th encounter. It’s France’s most frequent all-time opponent, having faced the Belgians nearly twice as much as any other team (39 meetings each with Italy & Switzerland). Meanwhile, Belgium have only faced the Netherlands (129 times) on more occasions than the French.
2
France have won all four of their previous matches against Belgium at a major tournament (WC + EURO), scoring 13 goals and conceding only three. Their only previous meeting at a EURO was 40 years ago, in 1984 – France won 5-0 in the group stages courtesy of a Michel Platini hat-trick and goals from Alain Giresse and Luis Fernandez on their way to their first EURO trophy.
3
France scored just two goals in the EURO 2024 group stage, their fewest in a major tournament group stage since the 2010 World Cup (1). Their two goals came via a Max Wöber own goal for Austria and a Kylian Mbappé penalty, having 47 non-penalty attempts without finding the net. Indeed, the only goal they conceded was a penalty, meaning their group games had 70 non—penalty shots overall without success.
4
Belgium have advanced to the knockout stages of a third consecutive UEFA EUROs tournament, having reached the quarter-final at both EUROs 2016 and 2020. The Red Devils have won each of their last four last 16 games at major tournaments (World Cup/EUROs) since defeat to Brazil in the 2002 World Cup (0-2).
5
France have drawn five of their last six UEFA EURO matches (W1), having only drawn four of their previous 25 games in the competition (W14 L7). Their round of 16 match at EURO 2020 was a 3-3 draw with Switzerland, eventually going out 5-4 on penalties.
