France vs Belgium Preview, Prediction, Injury Update, Team News, Form, Possible Lineups

• France and Belgium renew their rivalry on Monday, July 1, in a blockbuster Round of 16 clash at the 2024 European Championship
• The 2018 World Cup winners are yet to hit top gear and are facing a Belgian side that struggled in the group stage
• The Belgian Red Devils have not won the Euros, while Les Bleus are looking to win their third European crown

The France vs Belgium showdown is one of the biggest knockout stage matches at Euro 2024.

The two European giants, ranked second and third, will face off on Monday, July 1, in a massive Round of 16 clash.

These two sides underwhelmed in the group stage and have to step up in the do-or-die encounter on Monday.

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Belgium’s Golden Generation have not achieved anything and is on its last legs. They had a chance to make a mark at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups and the 2020 and 2024 Euros, but they fell short.

France, meanwhile, have another Golden Generation led by the peerless Kylian Mbappe. They ended Belgium’s World Cup dream in 2018 and are looking to destroy their Euro 2024 hopes.

Read on as Sports Brief brings you a preview of this massive showdown.

France vs Belgium preview

Form guide

France heads into this encounter in stuttering form. They didn’t impress in the group stage as many expected due to several reasons, one of which was Mbappe’s injury.

Les Bleus narrowly defeated Austria, drew 0-0 with the Netherlands and were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw against Poland.

Didier Deschamps’ team is yet to hit top form, but they have the advantage with their experience and world-class talent in their ranks.

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Belgium, on the other hand, barely went past the group stage. The Red Devils, Slovakia, Ukraine and Romania all ended with four points, but France’s Round of 16 opponents finished second behind Romania.

They lost to Slovakia, beat Romania and were held to a draw by Ukraine.

Recent head-to-head matchups

Monday’s clash will be their 76th encounter, per UEFA. These two nations have met 13 times at major tournaments.

Belgium have beaten France three times, while France has won seven games. The two have met five times in the Euros, and the Red Devils are looking for their third win against France in the continental showpiece.

France have won the last two competitive meetings between these two teams. Deschamps’ side edged Belgium 3-2 in the 2021 UEFA Nations League. The other match was the 2018 World Cup semi-final, which Les Bleus won 1-0.

Domenico Tedesco’s side last beat France in a 2015 friendly match. They last defeated the French in a competitive match in 1981.

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Their last match-up in a UEFA competition was at the 1984 tournament when France crushed them 5-0 thanks to Michel Platini’s hat-trick.

Team news, possible line-ups and injury updates

Both sides do not have major injury concerns and should field their strongest teams.

Axel Witsel (adductor) and Thomas Meunier (thigh) are Tedesco’s only two injury concerns, while France has few injury issues.

Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne and France’s Mbappe will be the players likely to decide the tie. Here are the probable line-ups.

France XI: Maignan; Koundé, Upamecano, Saliba, Hernández; Kanté, Tchouaméni, Rabiot, Griezmann; Mbappé, Thuram

Belgium XI: Casteels; Castagne, Faes, Vertonghen, Theate; Mangala, Onana, De Bruyne; Doku, Lukaku, Lukébakio

Prediction: France to win 1-0

Saliba warns Belgium

Sports Brief earlier reported on France defender, Dayot Upamecano, sending a warning to Belgium ahead of the Round of 16 showdown.

The Bayern Munich star boldly claimed they are not afraid of the Belgians, saying they always beat them, raising the stakes even more.