Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Radio France Internationale
Radio France Internationale
Sport
Paul Myers

France to face Belgium in last-16 at Euro 2024 as line-up takes shape

Georgia beat Portugal 2-0 to reach the knockout stages at a European championships for the first time. © AFP - OZAN KOSE

France and Belgium, the world's second and third best teams respectively in the Fifa rankings, will meet in the last-16 at Euro 2024 next Monday in Dusseldorf after the line-up for the knockout stages was completed on Wednesday night.

Georgia, who are competing at the competition for the first time, beat Portugal 2-0 to move into the last-16 where they will face Spain.

"I don't have a lot of words so I will try to stay basic and say that I'm so proud of the players because what an image they have shown of Georgia," said coach Willy Saignol.

The former France international added: "I feel very proud to be their manager.

"But Spain is coming ... Spain was probably the best team of the first round so it's another big challenge for us.

"But for sure we're going to fight to the last minute as we have done since the beginning of the competition."

Portugal went into the game as winners of Group F.

Praise

Portugal boss Roberto Martinez said ahead of the clash that he would not underestimate Georgia who are ranked 68 places below his side.

He fielded a side featuring record goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo and a host of other players plying their trade in top European leagues.

"We were low intensity," added Martinez. "We conceded early which is what Georgia needed and after that we weren't clear- headed in our passing or finishing.

"We tried to score but couldn't, that gave Georgia heart and in the end it was a deserved win."

Despite the setback, Portugal will face Slovenia on Monday night in Frankfurt.

That will be preceded by a grudge match between France and Belgium.

Several Belgian players accused France of negative tactics after their defeat in the semi-final at the World Cup in Russia in 2018. The French responded to the barbs with a 4-2 win in the final over Croatia to lift the title.

"We won't be favourites against France," said Belgium skipper Kevin de Bruyne of the impending clash at Euro 2024.

"But we know during a tournament you have to play the best."

Switzerland will begin the last-16 show on Saturday with a game against defending champions Italy.

Hosts Germany then take on Denmark in an attempt to reach the last eight at a major tournament for the first time since the 2016 European championships.

On Sunday, favourites England will play Slovakia in Gelsenkirchen. And on Tuesday, the Group E winners Romania face the Netherlands. Austria - who topped Group D which featured France - will take on Turkey.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.