📰 Table Of Contents
Team news
France and Belgium have announced their line-ups for their Euro 2024 last-16 tie in Dusseldorf.
Antoine Griezmann returns to Didier Deschamps’ starting XI after dropping to the bench in their final group game against Poland.
He forms an attack which includes skipper Kylian Mbappe, who will once again wear a protective mask, and Marcus Thuram who replaces Ousmane Dembele.
Ngolo Kante starts in midfield alongside Aurelien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot.
France XI: Maignan, Hernandez, Saliba, Upamecano, Kounde, Rabio, Kante, Tchouameni, Griezmann, Mbappe, Thuram
Our starting 1️⃣1️⃣ for this Round of 16 clash ⚔️#FRABEL | #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/v58ZXSU0ke
— French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) July 1, 2024
The big news from the Belgian camp is Arsenal forward Leandro Trossard dropping to the bench, with Lois Openda and Yannick Carrasco brought into the attack.
Romelu Lukaku and Jeremy Doku keep their places in a forward-thinking line-up, with Kevin De Bruyne named next to Amadou Onana in midfield.
Youri Tielemans of Aston Villa the other player to lose his place in Dominico Tedesco’s XI.
Belgium XI: Casteels, Castagne, Faes, Vertonghen, Theate, De Bruyne, Onana, Doku, Openda, Carrasco, Lukaku
The 11 for the round of 16. 🫡 #SelectedByPwC #FRABEL #WirSchaffenDas pic.twitter.com/3MxSN9Lwk5
— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) July 1, 2024
The state of play
Both sides have yet to fully convince at this tournament, with both reaching the last 16 by finishing second in their groups.
Les Bleus beat Austria in their first game courtsey of an own goal, before drawing 0-0 to Netherlands after seeing a goal against them controversially ruled out for offside.
They were then pegged back by Poland in a 1-1 draw, allowing Austria to leapfrog them into top spot in Group B.
Belgium have perhaps faced even more after edging through through their group with a win, a draw and a loss.
Kevin De Bruyne and Co were beaten 1-0 by Slovakia in their first game before beating Romania in their second.
An uninspiring 1-1 draw with Ukraine was enough to see them qualify from a tight group, but not enough to escape boos from supporters at full-time.
