Belgium will be hoping to end an all-time major tournament streak when they face France in the last 16 of Euro 2024 on Monday evening.
Belgium will be looking to end one of their worst major tournament runs when they face France in the last 16 of Euro 2024.
Domenico Tedesco took his side into the tournament having avoided defeat in 14 matches in all competitions, but the Red Devils have been far from convincing in Germany.
After losing 1-0 to Slovakia in their opening match, Belgium defeated Romania by a 2-0 scoreline before playing out a goalless draw with Ukraine to edge through a group that saw all four teams finish on four points.
France now await Tedesco’s side in Dusseldorf on Monday evening, Les Bleus having also struggled their way through the tournament.
Didier Deschamps‘ side head into the encounter as the favourites to prevail, despite having only scored through an own goal and a penalty thus far.
Nevertheless, history suggests that there is justification in being fancied to get the better of one of their European rivals.
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Belgium eager to conclude losing streak
These two nations have met at a major tournament on four previous occasions, with France prevailing in each of those quartet of fixtures.
The solitary encounter at a European Championship came in 1984, Michel Platini helping France to a 5-0 victory in the group stages with a hat-trick.
Most recently, France posted a 1-0 success over Belgium at the 2018 World Cup, Samuel Umtiti‘s goal early in the second half proving to be the difference in that semi-final.
Back in 1938, France won 3-1 on home territory at the World Cup, while they came from behind to win a thrilling third-place playoff by a 4-2 scoreline at the 1986 edition.
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Familiar foes
Belgium’s most frequent opponents in history are France, this contest representing the 76th time that they have met on the international stage.
That said, only seven showdowns have occurred since the turn of the millennium, France winning just three of those and Belgium two of the other four.
In the last six years, the solitary clash came in the 2021 UEFA Nations League, with France pulling off a sensational comeback from two goals down at half time to win 3-2 in that semi-final tie that was staged in Turin.
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