DUSSELDORF, -- How do you say in French? France's 1-0 win against on Monday -- which sets up a Euro 2024 quarterfinal against -- had a massive air of "we have seen this before," and it fits because this is what the vice-world champions do. While the game itself was a battle of attrition, with just four combined shots on target and a game xG of 1.25, it also showed what are made of.
They nullify their opposition, closing every door, window and possible path towards their goal. They are the most organised and structured team at the Euros. Meanwhile Belgium were poor: their head coach Domenico Tedesco got his tactics and choices wrong (a 4-4-2 with /Kevin de Bruyne in midfield), but they never found an answer to France's solidity.
They could have played for hours and nothing would have changed. However, it also felt at times that and his teammates were never going to score either. They had 19 shots (just two on target) and needed a fortunate 85th minute own goal to win, with deflecting Randall Kolo Muani's wayward shot beyond .
In four games, they haven't scored a goal in open play, benefitting from two own goals and one penalty to advance. It's obviously a worry, but there is nothing more fitting for a team led by Didier Deschamps than reaching the final eight of a major tournament in such fashion. "We are such a strong team, a compact and solid block, and we deserve some credit for the way we play," defender told ESPN after the game.
"People don't realise how difficult it is t.