Four spots in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals have been filled with four more spots up for grabs. France will play Belgium in a mouth-watering encounter while Portugal will look to avoid another upset when they take on Slovenia. Let us take a closer look at the two Round of 16 clashes scheduled for today.
France vs Belgium – Duesseldorf
A 2018 World Cup semifinal rematch awaits as France will play neighbors Belgium in Dusseldorf on July 1 for a place in the quarterfinals. France finished second in the group D with 5 points while Belgium finished with 4 points in an entertaining Group E.
Despite qualification, both nations underperformed in the group stage and would love to leave a mark on the tournament with a win in the Round of 16 of Euro 2024.
This will be the 76th meeting between the two sides with France winning 26 and Belgium winning 30. However, it is the French who have the recent edge over their neighbours winning the 2018 World Cup semifinal and the Nations League semifinal in Turin in October 2021.
Team News
Ibrahima Konate is a doubt for France due to a knee injury. Thomas Meunier (thigh injury) and Axel Witsel (adductor) will be the two absentees for Belgium.
Portugal vs Slovenia – Frankfurt
Slovenia are one of the surprise teams who have qualified for the Round of 16 of Euro 2024. They finished on 3 points in Group C and qualified as one of the four best third-place teams across groups.
Portugal on the other hand finished top of Group F with 6 points. Roberto Martínez’s suddenly look beatable after losing to Georgia in their final group match. The two sides will meet in Frankfurt on July 1.
The two nations have only met once before in a friendly that took place in March of this year when Slovenia won 2-0.
Portugal will come into the game as favorites. Slovenia, however, will feel that they have nothing to lose given that they have already exceeded expectations at the Euro 2024 by qualifying for the Round of 16.
Team News
Left-back Erik Janza will miss Slovenia’s clash against Portugal due to suspension with Jure Balkovec expected to replace him.
Rafael Leao will be available for Portugal after serving his suspension against Georgia meaning that Roberto Martinez will have a full squad to choose from for the clash against Slovenia.
Read More: Euro 2024 Last 16 Draw in Full
Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
