Five Reasons Why Belgium Can Beat France on Monday

There is a lack of optimism in the Belgian camp ahead of Monday’s match. Everyone wanted to avoid France, but now that the Devils will meet the Blues, we must believe: here are 5 reasons why Belgium can beat France in the Round of 16.

1. France is struggling to score

There is a serious problem with France’s efficiency. Like the Devils, the French team has scored two goals in this tournament… but unlike us, the Blues have not scored any of them in open play or on their own – an own goal and a penalty.

Romelu Lukaku’s crisis of confidence can be put into perspective by his three disallowed goals; France’s dry spell, on the other hand, is real. Even if France’s “expected goals” are particularly high, the fact remains that they are a team that is struggling to find the back of the net. On our side, we have only conceded one goal in three games: the Blues should not, a priori, score a lot of goals on Monday in Düsseldorf.

2. A Koen Casteels in a state of grace

Points 1 and 2 are linked: against Poland, the French created an impressive number of chances but came up against an inspired Lukasz Skorupski. The Bologna goalkeeper stopped everything: 7 saves and a well-deserved man of the match award. And Belgium has its own Skorupski: Koen Casteels is impassable in this Euro 2024.

Without him, Slovakia would have broken through, Romania would have equalized and Ukraine would have beaten us. It’s as simple as that. If Kevin De Bruyne has been named man of the match twice, Casteels deserved the title, at least once. The new Al-Qadsiah goalkeeper is living his biggest international test, and so far he is passing it with flying colours. If Belgium qualifies on Monday (for example, on penalties…), he could almost even make us forget a certain T.C…

3. Romelu Lukaku will wake up

Trick question: when was the last time Romelu Lukaku went 4 games without scoring for the national team? The answer will surprise you: it was… in 2018. Yes: at the World Cup. Big Rom’ had not scored against Japan, against Brazil, against France, and not even in the small final against England.

That was 6 years ago, so Lukaku has something to prove: that he can be there when it matters. Yes, he had a great game against Brazil, but for a No. 9, finding the back of the net is special. His last goal in a knockout game in a major tournament was for nothing (1-2 against Italy at Euro 2020). After three frustrating games, it’s time to wake up and score against France… like in 2021, in the Nations League semi-final (one goal, but a 2-3 defeat).

4. The Devils will have a reaction of pride

The images of Ukraine-Belgium are still fresh in our minds, and will certainly still be in everyone’s heads on Monday in Düsseldorf. Those of the supporters, as well as those of the players. Kevin De Bruyne may play his usual detached role, but he also seemed very annoyed and even a little sad after the match.

All the Devils seemed frustrated, lost and even shocked by the treatment they received from their supporters. There are two ways to react to this: to give up or to have a surge of pride. Playing against France with the attitude sometimes seen against Ukraine (no pressing, gestures of anger, no initiative…) would be catastrophic, and is even unimaginable. The Devils owe us a reaction, and it will come.

5. Domenico Tedesco will finally dare

The student Tedesco had brilliantly succeeded in his school year, but is now failing his exams. Another failed copy against France and we will be close to repeating the year, even if the school principal (Piet Vandendriessche, CEO of the Belgian FA) has assured us to the contrary.

In order not to leave Euro 2024 with their heads down, Domenico Tedesco will have to dare. It doesn’t matter if the Devils are eliminated: if they are, it will have to be by showing personality, strong choices, proactive changes. And the coach will do so, because he has no choice. Leandro Trossard should no longer be in the starting line-up, and we could even finally see Charles De Ketelaere come into play. It’s your turn, herr Tedesco…