France midfielder Adrien Rabiot praised his side’s “very solid” win over Belgium at Uefa Euro 2024 but rued a “harsh” booking by referee Glenn Nyberg which will rule him out of Les Bleus’ quarter-final.
Randal Kolo Muani’s strike on the turn was deflected past goalkeeper Koen Casteels by Jan Vertonghen’s knee, settling a game which seemed destined for extra time in the 85th minute.
“We could have won by more,” said Rabiot, via L’Equipe. “We had the ball and control of the match. They defended a lot. We pushed until the end and won.
“We are very good; very solid, with a very compact block. We were very good in one-on-one duels – that’s our strength. We didn’t give up, it’s a great victory.”
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Euro 2024: France beat Belgium
France are considered favourites for the title by many but their curiously flat start to the finals continued as their wait for an open goal in Germany went on.
The victors had 19 of the 24 shots between the teams but only two on target, talismanic striker Kylian Mbappe again looking short of his menacing best.
When he was questioned about head coach Didier Deschamps’ decision to switch from a 4-4-2 to 4-3-3 formation, Rabiot said: “You have to ask him why. The coach decided to do it differently today. We are professionals and we adapt.”
𝙒𝙀’𝙍𝙀 𝙂𝙊𝙄𝙉𝙂, 𝘼𝙇𝙇 𝙏𝙊𝙂𝙀𝙏𝙃𝙀𝙍! 💙✨
🇫🇷1-0🇧🇪 | #FRABEL | #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/8Eat9oaiFj
— French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) July 1, 2024
Euro 2024 quarter-finals: Rabiot out
Having collected a yellow card, Rabiot said he was “disgusted” to be suspended for a semi-final against Portugal or Slovenia on July 5 in Hamburg.
“The referee was quite harsh,” the Juventus player said. “I will have a small absence but there are guys who will do the job. I am confident for the future. I hope to come back for the semi-final.”
Rabiot was impressed with forward Muani and defender William Saliba. “He is very important, like everyone else,” he said of Muani.
“The coach repeats it all the time: there is always room [for squad members to come in]. This is also what makes us strong: we are very united.
“I found him very good but everyone was up to the task. They were very good defensively. Jules [Kounde played well] one-on-one against [Belgium winger Jeremy] Doku.”
