France v Belgium LIVE: Euro 2024 result and reaction as Jan Vertonghen own goal proves decisive

Of course, it wasn’t pretty. Didier Deschamps won’t care. All that matters, the French coach would strenuously argue, is that they got there. That could be said about France’s winning goal and the very 1-0 last-16 win over Belgium it decided.

After 85 minutes of what had perhaps been the worst football in this tournament – outside, maybe, some of England’s games – substitute Randal Kolo Muani tried a speculative shot that was mishit off the ground and deflected off the unfortunate Jan Vertonghen and in.

The game maybe deserved that, but it’s arguable whether France did. An otherwise sensationally talented squad made their way into the quarter-finals by dour obduracy rather than any creativity or class. It may yet take them to victory, of course, but it doesn’t make much of it memorable. The most stirring moment of the game was a tackle, which was Theo Hernandez on Yannick Carrasco.

Three days prior to Belgium’s last-16 clash with France, Kevin De Bruyne celebrated his 33rd birthday. As it was a rest day at the European Championship, he may actually have celebrated, with teammates at least.

We may be in an era where elite players enjoy longer careers, generally speaking, but there’s no way to avoid the truth of this tremendous player’s advancing years: injuries have significantly hampered him for club and country over the past couple of campaigns, to the extent of missing major finals and being unable to contribute at some very important moments, as well as needing surgery more than once.

Add into the equation a dwindling contract at club level which the player himself has acknowledged means all options are on the table - including a move to a less-than-stellar league where few have remained playing at the elite level on current evidence - and it all means that there is a high likelihood Euro 2024 might have been be De Bruyne’s final tournament in, or anywhere near, his prime. Maybe his last full stop.

France edged out Belgium to advance to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals as Jan Vertonghen’s late own goal settled a tight affair in Dusseldorf.

With Belgium sat deep, France struggled mightily to create clear chances despite controlling the contest, flashing a series of finishes wide and high but never looking particularly likely to break through.

But they finally struck five minutes from time, Randal Kolo Muani releasing a shot at the end of a fluent passing move that took a healthy piece of Vertonghen’s knee to beat Koen Casteels in the Belgian goal.

But how did each player perform? Here are The Independent’s player ratings:

“It’s tough on them. I think France were the better team. Obviously, the quality wasn’t really there.

“It wasn’t a surprise that it was an own goal that settled the game. You also need a bit of luck. France kept a clean sheet and when you do that, you will always have a chance.”

90+3 mins: France get over the line!

They needed help, a Jan Vertonghen own goal, late in the match to finally break through Belgium’s defence. Domenico Tedesco set up his team to defend strongly and use the counter attack to hurt France.

They tried their best and for 84 minutes held their own. A late goal sends Les Bleus into the quarter-finals where either Portugal or Slovenia awaits.

90 mins: Three minutes of added time to play.

88 mins: The goal have actually gone down as a Jan Vertonghen own goal. It is currently the deciding factor in this last-16 tie. How many added minutes will there be for Belgium to save themselves?

England managed to yesterday, can Belgium emulate them?

85 mins: Heartbreak for Belgium.

France move the ball superbly. Short passes from the left wing sees them bring the ball across to Jules Kounde who rolls it back to N’Golo Kante.

Kante slips a pass into the box for Randal Kolo Muani who checks to the right and shoots. There’s a big deflection which wrongfoots the goalkeeper.

Koen Casteels drops to his right and the ball passes on his left. France were care, they’re in front with just a few minutes left!

84 mins: Save! Was that the moment for Belgium?

They burst up the pitch after picking out Lukaku. He gives it Doku who feeds De Bruyne. The Belgium captain lets the ball roll across to his right foot and smashes a shot at goal only for Mike Maignan to slap it clear as he drops to the right.

Big moment, huge save.