Sports
France vs. Belgium live stream, line-ups, choices: where to watch Euro 2024 round of 16 online, TV channel
Monday round of 16 matchup at UEFA Euro 2024 is a replay of the 2018 FIFA World Cup semi-final between France and Belgium and headlines the Ffirst round of knockout matches. Didier Deschamps’ French team will face Domenico Tedesco’s team in Düsseldorf on Monday, while neither country is yet at the top of the matches in Germany. Both the French and Belgians unexpectedly finished second in their respective groups, with Kylian Mbappé only just missing scoring in the draw with eliminated Poland in Group D after suffering a broken nose during the first match of the tournament in France.
Although Mike Maignan initially denied Robert Lewandowski an equalizer from the penalty spot, the match ended on an equally unexpected level as Austria’s victory over the Netherlands which saw them go through as group winners, ahead of Les Bleus. This has put France on the same side of the European Championship knockout stages as Germany, Portugal and Spain. However, they have one of the worst defenses in this competition, which will be a concern for Belgium.
The Red Devils have gone winless in two of their three games and are averaging less than one goal per game so far, following a shock defeat to Slovakia, a recovery win over Group E winners Romania and then a goalless draw with eliminated Ukraine. Romelu Lukaku has yet to reach the top and if Koen Casteels had not been sharper, things could have been even worse for Tedesco’s side. Only Serbia, who scored just once, scored fewer goals this summer than either the Belgians or the French.
The 2018 World Cup semi-final will be remembered by many, with Les Bleus causing their neighbors heartbreak. There was also a 3-2 defeat in the 2021 UEFA Nations League semi-final, which will provide additional motivation for Tedesco and his players. Deschamps and his group will keep an eye on Portugal in the quarter-finals hoping for a chance to avenge their Euro 2016 final loss on home soil.
Here are our storylines, how to watch the match and more:
How to watch and odds
- Date: Monday July 1 | Time: 12:00 PM ET
- Place: Dusseldorf Arena – Dusseldorf, Germany
- TV: FS1 | Live stream: Fubo (try for free)
- Chances: France +100; Sign +220; Belgium +320
How they got here
Neither side won their group, with France finishing behind Austria in Group D but ahead of the Netherlands, who came through as the third-placed side. Belgium also failed to win Group E, finishing behind Romania but ahead of Slovakia, as all four teams had four points each – one fewer than the French – in the most balanced group of this edition. although Les Bleus are undefeated, the Red Devils have already lost once in Germany.
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Group D table
| Team | Member of Parliament | W | D | L | G.F | GO | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austria |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
6 |
4 | 6 |
| France |
3 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
1 | 5 |
| The Netherlands |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
4 | 4 |
| Poland |
3 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
6 | 1 |
Group E
| Team | Member of Parliament | W | D | L | G.F | GO | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Romania |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
1 | 4 |
| Belgium |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 | 4 |
| Slovakia |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
2 | 4 |
| Ukraine |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
4 | 4 |
Team news
France: It is no real surprise that France vice-captain Antoine Griezmann will return to the starting line-up after coming on as a substitute against Poland. A talisman over the years and a real creative hub, it was unexpected that Didier Deschamps chose to do without the Atletico Madrid man for the final match of the group stage. Despite creating a number of good chances, the problem was again the finishing and not the creation that brought Griezmann back into the game. It is no surprise at all that we have to miss Ousmane Dembélé from Paris Saint-Germain for this. Despite winning the penalty against Poland, Dembélé was watery in front of goal and too inconsistent, which was also his problem at club level. Perhaps this will shock him into a reaction in a similar way to how Deschamps had hoped to provoke a reaction from Griezmann, but this feels like the start of France addressing their lack of attacking power.
PSG talent Bradley Barcola was unlucky to be left out of the XI again here and posed a more direct threat against Poland and was certainly not the weakest link in a front line that struggled to find a way past Lukasz Skorupski. Deschamps is a great replacement to have and will hope he doesn’t need Barcola’s direct approach from the start. Perhaps the most surprising choice is the return of Inter’s Marcus Thuram alongside Mbappe, despite struggling to look dangerous in front of goal in Germany. Belgium’s defensive problems are well known, but this move effectively confirms that Olivier Giroud is no longer a key part of Deschamps’ thinking after years in service.
Confirmed France XI: Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Hernandez; Kante, Tchouameni, Rabiot; Griezmann; Thuram, Mbappe (c).
Belgium: Tedesco has gone without Dodi Lukebakio and Leandro Trossard in attack, with Yannick Carrasco coming into midfield and Lois Openda joining Jeremy Doku alongside Romelu Lukaku. Wout Faes could be banned for the quarter-finals if he is shown a yellow card, but his heroics in denying Ukraine’s Artem Dovbyk underlined his basic qualifications. Axel Witsel and Thomas Meunier were always doubters and were unlikely to play much here – if at all – as only the former would make the bench.
Confirmed Belgium XI: Casteels; Castagne, Faes, Vertonghen, Theate; De Bruyne (c), Onana, Carrasco; Openda, Lukaku, Doku.
Prediction
France needs to be sharper in attack, but is tight at the back, while Belgium is neither sharp enough at the top nor sharp enough at the back. Although it is sometimes close, in the end it should be the French who advance to the quarter-finals. Choose: France 2, Belgium 0.
