UEFA Euro Preview: France Focuses on Penalties, Belgium Relies on Counterattacks Amid Mbappe Threat

On the early hours of July 2nd, the UEFA Euro round of 16 sees France take on Belgium at the Mercury Entertainment Arena in Düsseldorf. The winner will face either Portugal or Slovenia in the quarterfinals.

After defeating Austria 1-0, France drew with the Netherlands and Poland, securing their spot as group runners-up. Belgium, also as group runners-up, defeated Romania after an opening loss to Slovakia and a draw with Ukraine.

The UEFA emphasized that both teams are well-acquainted, having played 75 international A-class matches (France with 26 wins, 19 draws, and 30 losses, scoring 131 goals and conceding 162). Historically, they have clashed multiple times in major tournaments, with France coming out on top in the 1986 World Cup (4-2 after extra time), the 2018 World Cup Round of 16 (1-0), and the 1984 European Championship (5-0). Belgium triumphed in the 1968 and 1976 European Championships and some qualifying matches.

This familiarity extends to the players, with 11 Belgian players currently or previously playing in Ligue 1, and numerous club teammates or former teammates from both sides (e.g., Saliba and Trossard from Arsenal, Griezmann and Carrasco from Atlético Madrid). This mutual knowledge could lead to high tactical value in nullifying each other’s strengths.

Manager Didier Deschamps acknowledged France’s extra penalty practice due to recent losses in penalty shootouts, such as against Switzerland in the last Euros and Argentina in the 2022 World Cup final. With a 77.5% conversion rate in their eight previous penalty shootouts (three wins, five losses), France aims to prioritize defense and avoid conceding in the knockout stage. Deschamps emphasized the different approach needed for the elimination rounds: “The tournament has started anew; it’s a completely different phase, and we need a different strategy.” That strategy involves solid defense and being prepared for penalties.

In contrast, Belgium’s coach Felix Magath highlighted the physical challenge his team faces, with an older squad and less rest after their later group stage finish. He plans to use substitutions strategically to seize control later in the match, stating, “Do I already have a game plan for Mbappe? We do, and you need more than one, but the only issue is that we can only start eleven players.”

Key players to watch include Mbappe, Kante, De Bruyne, and Lukaku. Belgian defender Meunier is absent due to fitness issues, while French winger Kingsley Coman missed training due to his wife’s childbirth, casting doubt on his availability. Media reports suggest Giroud and Thuram netted hat-tricks in training sessions, hinting at their potential impact, while Belgium’s Trossard and Openda have also shown strong form in training, ready to make a difference if called upon.

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