France should hold no fear ahead of facing Belgium in the round of 16 at Euro 2024, according to Christophe Dugarry.
Les Bleus, who were among the favourites prior to the tournament in Germany, finished second behind Austria in Group D after some unconvincing performances.
Indeed, their goals came from a Maximilian Wober own goal and a Kylian Mbappe penalty, with France landing themselves in the tougher half of the draw along with Spain, Portugal, hosts Germany and last-16 opponents Belgium, who they play on Monday in Dusseldorf.
That has seen their chances of winning the trophy slip down to 13%, according to Opta's supercomputer, but looking ahead to Monday's clash with Belgium, Duggary, who won the World Cup in 1998 and Euros in 2000, feels France have nothing to fear.
"Of course, they have individuals, but I don't see why we should be afraid," Duggary said in his role as a pundit on Rothen s'ignee on RMC.
"If we are not capable of beating these Belgians, we [will do] nothing at the European Championship."
Dugarry pointed to Belgium's weak defence as a reason for France to be confident.
"[Timothy] Castagne, [Wout] Faes, [Jan] Vertonghen who is 37... They have a midfield with [good] players, but no one defends in this team. For me, they're an enigma.
"[Jeremy] Doku is the same as [Ousmane] Dembele. But given the criticism that we've put on Dembele since the start of the competition, we're not going to say better about Doku.
"I understand the Belgian supporters, who are disappointed. We've been talking to them for years and years about a golden generation. But the golden generation is starting to no longer be golden at all. They have no legs, no aggression."
If France are to take advantage of Belgium's indifferent performances so far, then they will need their forwards to be firing on all cylinders, something defender William Saliba is acutely aware of.
"It’s true we didn't score many goals in the group stage. When you don't score a lot, you have to be focused," Saliba said.
"But that's how it can be when you are playing at the highest level. But I have no doubt that the attackers will be there in the round of 16 and deliver.
"It's clear that we have to be more dangerous with our set-pieces, especially me. I think I haven't even touched one, so we can do better."
Belgium's attackers similarly misfired in Group E. In fact, only Serbia (3.8%) had a poorer shot conversion rate in the group stage than Belgium and France (both 4.2% - two goals from 48 shots).
PLAYERS TO WATCH
France - Kylian Mbappe
Mbappe netted his first ever goal at the Euros when he put away that penalty against Poland. It took his tally to 13 goals across major tournaments, with only Michel Platini (14 in 19 games) ever scoring more for France.
The new Real Madrid forward is also only two goals away from becoming the third French player to score 50 goals in all competitions, after Olivier Giroud (57) and Thierry Henry (51).
Belgium - Kevin De Bruyne
During the group stage, Belgium were the team with the highest share of their line-breaking passes being those that broke the opposition’s defensive line (18%).
And it was De Bruyne who broke the opponent's defensive line on more occasions than any other midfielder (11). If Belgium are to progress, they will need their playmaker on top form.
MATCH PREDICTION: FRANCE WIN
France have drawn five of their last six Euro matches (one win), having only drawn four of their previous 25 games in the competition (14 wins, seven defeats). Their round-of-16 match at Euro 2020 was a 3-3 draw with Switzerland, with Les Bleus eventually going out 5-4 on penalties.
Belgium, meanwhile, have advanced to the knockout stages of a third consecutive Euros, having reached the quarter-finals in 2016 and 2020. The Red Devils have won each of their last four last-16 games at major tournaments since losing to Brazil in the 2002 World Cup (0-2).
However, France have won all four of their previous matches against Belgium at major tournaments, scoring 13 goals and conceding only three.
Their only previous meeting at the Euros was 40 years ago, in 1984 – France won 5-0 in the group stages courtesy of a Platini hat-trick and goals from Alain Giresse and Luis Fernandez.
This will be France and Belgium's 76th encounter overall. Les Bleus have faced the Belgians nearly twice as often as any other team (39 meetings each with Italy and Switzerland). Meanwhile, Belgium have only faced the Netherlands (129 times) on more occasions than the French.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
France - 58.4%
Belgium - 20.8%
Draw - 20.8%
France 1-0 Belgium: Vertonghen own goal sends Red Devils crashing out of Euro 2024
France edged into the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 with a 1-0 victory over Belgium thanks to a late Jan Vertonghen own goal.
Les Bleus' struggles in attack continued in another flat display, but that did not matter as they got the all-important goal in the 85th minute to send them through.
Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne both had chances for Belgium but failed to find a way past Mike Maignan, then Vertonghen diverted Randal Kolo Muani's strike into his own net to send the Red Devils out.
France will meet either Portugal or Slovenia in the last eight, while Belgium go home after a poor showing in Germany.
Having struggled in attack through the group stage, both teams started slowly in Dusseldorf, with Antoine Griezmann's tame effort into Koen Casteels' gloves the only shot on target in the first half.
De Bruyne then caused a bit of panic in France's box as his free-kick took a big deflection off the wall and needed blocking by Maignan.
Moments later, France suffered a blow as Adrien Rabiot was booked for a needless challenge on Jeremy Doku, his second yellow card of the tournament earning him a one-match suspension.
Marcus Thuram then went close as he flicked a header wide of the near post before Aurelien Tchouameni fired into the stands with the last action of the first half.
Didier Deschamps' half-time message was clear as France upped the pressure – Casteels pushed away Tchouameni's low strike before Kylian Mbappe whipped an effort just over the bar.
Belgium's first shot on target came in the 69th minute as Orel Mangala picked out Lukaku, but his drilled attempt was pushed away by Maignan.
The goalkeeper remained alert as he then parried De Bruyne’s long-range shot, and just moments later, France finally took the lead.
Substitute Kolo Muani spun away from Vertonghen, but his shot was poor. That did not matter though, as it took a big deflection off the defender to take it flying past Casteels and into the back of the net.
Platini's record still evades Mbappe
Mbappe finally scored his first goal at the European Championships last time out, clinically dispatching a spot-kick against Poland in France's final group game.
It took his tally for Les Bleus at major tournaments to 13, and he is just one away from equalling Michel Platini, who leads with 14 such goals for his country.
The captain attempted five shots in this game, and is now up to 15 in the tournament overall, but it would not be him that grabbed the headlines.
For the second time this tournament, France benefitted from an own-goal winner as their wait for an open-play goal at Euro 2024 goes on.
Same old problems
Both France and Belgium had underwhelming group stages, and the Red Devils struggled to up the ante as they slumped to another disappointing tournament exit.
Only Serbia (3.8%) had a poorer shot conversion rate over the first three matches than Belgium (4.2%, two goals from 48 shots, level with France).
Belgium attempted just one shot in the first half, their joint-fewest in the first half of a game at the Euros on record (since 1980), along with one versus Denmark at Euro 2020.
It was also another frustrating day for Lukaku, who has failed to find the back of the net at this tournament, missing a host of chances across his four games.
The forward managed just one shot, and only two touches in the opposition box, as he struggled to make his mark.
Man Utd confirm Newcastle's Ashworth as new sporting director
Manchester United have finalised the appointment of Dan Ashworth as their new sporting director, having reached an agreement with his former club Newcastle United.
Ashworth told Newcastle he wished to move to Old Trafford in February and was placed on gardening leave as the two clubs sought to do a deal.
Ashworth – who has formerly held roles with the Football Association and Brighton and Hove Albion – was reportedly willing to take Newcastle to court to force a move, but a deal has now been struck for him to join United's revamped setup.
United are entering their first pre-season under the Jim Ratcliffe regime, after the INEOS founder was given full control of football operations upon purchasing a 25% stake from the deeply unpopular Glazer family last year.
A joint statement released by the two clubs read: "Newcastle United and Manchester United have reached an agreement for the immediate release of Dan Ashworth from his contractual obligations at Newcastle United.
"The terms of this agreement remain confidential between the clubs. Newcastle United thank Dan for his services and wish him well for the future."
Ashworth will work alongside Erik ten Hag after United opted against replacing the Dutchman in the wake of their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City in May.
Ten Hag oversaw the Red Devils' worst-ever Premier League finish of eighth last term but is locked in negotiations over a new contract, after Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Tuchel, Thomas Frank and Kieran McKenna were considered by INEOS.
Ten Hag's coaching team is also set to be revamped before the start of 2024-25, with former striker Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake both set to join the club.
Earps joins PSG after confirming Man Utd departure
England goalkeeper Mary Earps has joined Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer after leaving Manchester United.
Earps' United future had been in doubt for some time as she ran down the final 12 months of her contract last season, having previously been linked with Arsenal and PSG.
On Saturday, the Euro 2022 winner confirmed she was leaving United after five years with the club, having made 125 appearances for them across all competitions.
On Monday, her anticipated move to France was finalised as she penned a two-year deal with Les Parisiennes, who finished as Premiere Ligue runners-up to Lyon last term.
The Lionesses shot-stopper said: "Together, we’re going to give our all to help the club shine and make our fans proud.
"I'm determined to contribute to our future success so that Paris Saint-Germain continues to rank among Europe's top clubs."
Reports have suggested United offered Earps a more lucrative wage than PSG, but her determination to compete for silverware was the primary motivation behind her move.
United finished fifth in the Women's Super League last season, though they did thrash Tottenham 4-0 in the Women's FA Cup final to lift their first major trophy.
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