For all their flair, France are forging a path to Euro 2024 glory through frugality.
Four games have yielded only three goals. Only one French player, Kylian Mbappe, has registered for Les Bleus, a penalty against Poland, while the other two went down as own goals.
At the back, the defence of Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, Jules Kounde, Theo Hernandez and goalkeeper Mike Maignan have been breached just once.
During Monday's last-16 encounter against Belgium, a game that looked to be fizzling out was brought to life by the introduction of Randal Kolo Muani. The substitute's smart turn and shot saw the ball nestle in the Belgium goal via a deflection off the helpless Jan Vertonghen.
If the team has yet to really catch fire in Germany, one player who continues to shine bright is N'Golo Kante. The 33-year-old midfielder has been reinvigorated at these Euros, displaying all the guile and gumption that has characterised a distinguished career.
A mainstay of the French team that lifted the World Cup in Russia in 2018, Kante missed out on the 2022 finals in Qatar due to injury, where France lost a thrilling final to Argentina on penalties. The problem was his hamstrings, no doubt the result of years of wear and tear on one of the game's great box-to-box midfielders. It was one of a series of them to afflict Kante during what should have been his peak years.
During his final season at Chelsea, in 2022/23, Kante played only nine games. He played 42 the previous season and 48 the one before that, helping the club win only a second Uefa Champions League title and a first Club World Cup trophy.
Seemingly diminished, Kante was allowed to leave Stamford Bridge last summer at the expiration of his contract.
A free agent, Kante joined the revolution taking place in Saudi Arabia, signing a three-year contract at one of the kingdom's 'Big Four' clubs Al Ittihad.
While his arrival was devoid of the pomp that greeted Karim Benzema and Neymar, Al Ittihad took a chance on a player of proven pedigree, although one with a worrying recent injury record. Champions in 2022/23, Ittihad finished a disappointing fifth this time around in the Saudi Pro League season, a mammoth 42 points behind champions Al Hilal.
Though the team's struggles initially affected Kante, he impressed, particularly over the second half of the season, playing 46 games in all. It earned him a recall to Didier Deschamps' France squad for the Euros after a two-year absence having played no part in qualifying.
Kante has earned two player-of-the-match awards, showing that injuries have not diminished his football IQ. His greatest strength has always been his anticipation of where the danger is and he has shown throughout the tournament he still has the acceleration to snuff it out.
“Just look at what he’s done; that’s why I brought him,” Deschamps said last week following the 1-1 draw against Poland. “He’s tactically intelligent, has the ability to recover and get forward. He was brilliant today, and so much the better because that’s what we needed. He was radiant.”
Despite some initial reservations, Kante's return to the France squad has been welcomed by his teammates.
“There was a certain amount of uncertainty when he arrived,” Mbappe told Ouest-France. Those doubts were soon swept aside after a few training sessions though. “He hasn’t lost a thing. He has a thousand lungs,” Mbappe added.
“He hasn't changed,” added striker Olivier Giroud, while defender Benjamin Pavard described him as “incredible, still as strong as ever”.
Often typecast as a destroyer, Kante's creativity has come more to the fore in Germany. It was his sharp pass to Kolo Muani from the edge of the box that led to France's winner against Belgium.
Kante is now on the longest unbeaten run by any European player in major tournament history, winning 13 and drawing six of 19 games covering European Championships and World Cups.
Next up for France is a quarter-final against Portugal, where Kante will reignite rivalries with several contemporaries also playing their trade in Saudi Arabia in Cristiano Ronaldo and Ruben Neves.
While Les Bleus strikers struggle for goals, their midfield metronome has them covered.
France v Belgium ratings
-
FRANCE RATINGS: Not the busiest of evenings but did what he had to do when required. Chose to block De Bruyne free-kick with legs when easy take looked on in first half. Saved well in last 20 minutes from both Lukaku and De Bruyne. EPA -
Right-back whose forays forward gave France real threat throughout. Some excellent crosses into box one of which almost saw Thuram scoring. Kept busy defensively by Doku. Reuters -
Rolled too easily by Openda allowing Belgium chance in opening half but generally coped well against the RB Leipzig striker and the threat of Lukaku. AFP -
Centre-back produced type of cool and unruffled performances that have become the norm at club side Arsenal. A class act. Dragged shot wide at other end in second half. AP -
Belgium found some space down his left-flank on occasions but some of his recovery tackles were first class. One on Carrasco after 60 minutes was celebrated like a goal. EPA -
Picked up early booking for dissent, wayward shooting throughout. Sent three opportunities over bar when well placed. Had one deflected strike saved by keeper just after break. AP -
Never been on the losing side in major tournament match for France and has been one of the best players at Euro 2024 so far. Some engine on the Al Ittihad midfielder who glides around pitch and is heartbeat of French side. AP -
Blazed long-range effort way over in 20th minute in match where France had 20 attempts on goal but only two on target. Booked for foul on Doku and now misses quarter-final. AFP -
Showed his quality – apart from managing to add to his 44 goals for France. Had one tame effort struck at Casteels early in game with next opportunity not arriving until second half when he shot wide from edge of area. Booked for foul on Doku. AFP -
Played in centre of front three. Headed good chance wide of target just after half-hour mark and missed another in 50th minute that came off his shoulder. Hooked after an hour. EPA -
Wearing a protective face mask once again, the French captain produced some moments of skill and acceleration cutting in from left that were unplayable. Left his shooting boots at home, though. Getty Images -
SUBS: (On for Thuram 62’) Earned France victory when his shot was deflected into the net in 84th minute. AFP -
BELGIUM RATINGS: No save to make until just after half-time when he got down well to block deflected Tchouameni effort with France only managing two shots on target despite all their chances. No chance with winner due to big deflection. EPA -
Given unenviable task of dealing with Mbappe but did OK. Moments where he could do nothing against pace of Real Madrid-bound attacker but this is not problem unique to Castagne. AFP -
Leicester City defender threw himself into tackles made numerous good blocks. Managed to put enough pressure on Thuram to put French attacker off resulting in French attacker missing several headed opportunities. Getty Images -
Veteran defender had been solid at back but at key moment he allowed Muani time to get shot off that Vertonghen then deflected into his own net for match-losing own goal. EPA -
Would have been expecting to have hands full with Griezmann, which he did, only for full-back Kounde to prove an even bigger threat with his crossing from down the left. Stuck to task, though. EPA -
Sat alongside captain De Bruyne and produced no-nonsense performance in middle of midfield. Never stopped pressing and snapping at French heels. AFP -
Disciplined, defensive performance for first hour before being allowed to push forward and had one shot well saved by keeper. Almost caught out Maignan with first-half free-kick that keeper saved with legs. AP -
Played on right wing as Belgium went with 4-4-2 formation and found himself in some dangerous situations only to be denied by good French defending. EPA -
Explosive operator on the wing but his final product has been inconsistent in Germany. Offered a threat once again and set-up chance for De Bruyne with fine run and pass. Caught in possession in own box which handed opportunity to Saliba. Getty Images -
First start of tournament for player who scored goals for fun at Leipzig this season but pretty thankless task here with Belgium offering little service to attacking pair. Getty Images -
Has been frustrating, goalless tournament for big striker due to his own poor finishing and VAR interventions. No sniff of goal until 70th minute here when Maignan saved his powerfully hit strike. AP -
SUBS: (On for Openda 64’) Brought into midfield to free-up the play-making skills of De Bruyne. Reuters -
(On for Carrasco 88’) Reuters -
(On for Castagne 88’) AFP
