DUSSELDORF: The UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 promises exciting matches today as France face Belgium, reviving their World Cup 2018 rivalry, in Dusseldorf; Portugal take on Slovenia in Frankfurt, looking for a comeback after an unexpected loss to Georgia. Slovenia is participating in the knockouts for the first time, after entering the round of 16 as one of the best third-placed teams.
France vs Belgium
At 18.00 local time at Dsseldorf Arena, Dsseldorf, (16.00 UAE) today, France will take on Belgium.
Neither France nor Belgium have hit top gear yet at EURO 2024, but current form will likely count for little when these neighbouring nations resume a 120-year-old football rivalry that has reached intense heights in recent years, according to UEFA.com.
The Red Devils boast the superior overall record, but Les Bleus have got the better of their recent competitive jousts, edging their 2018 FIFA World Cup semi-final 1-0 and triumphing 3-2 in a UEFA Nations League semi in 2021.
Ample motivation, then, for a Belgium
side that squeezed through Group E as runners-up. “We are not afraid,” said Red Devils defender Wout Faes after this local derby was confirmed.
“We can hurt anyone.” Not that Didier Deschamps’ side are trembling either. “If they’re not afraid of us, all the better for them,” retorted France centre-back William Saliba. ‘We will do everything we can to win. I’m sure it won’t be fun for them to play us.’
Portugal vs Slovenia
Portugal and Slovenia meet today in the UEFA EURO 2024 round of 16 at 21.00 local time at Frankfurt Arena, Frankfurt (23.00 UAE).
Portugal go into this last-16 contest having had their wings clipped last time out, a run of 12 consecutive victories in EURO qualifying and finals games halted by Georgia in a surprise 2-0 loss.
That said, the EURO 2016 winners had already won Group F by then and made multiple changes, while they also believe the defeat could provide key lessons. “Slovenia will be defensive and try to hit us on the counterattack,” said defender Danilo. “This game provided an
example of that and we need to do exactly the opposite of what we did.”
Slovenia will not mind either way. Through to their first-ever knockout phase at a major tournament, Matjaž Kek’s charges have drawn their last four EURO games, most recently thwarting England’s attacking talents in a goalless stalemate.
“We have had a difficult group here but we have a top-quality team,” said the coach, whose side beat Portugal in the nations’ very first meeting this March – a 2-0 friendly win in Ljubljana, where Adam Gnezda Cerin and Timi Elšnik made the scoresheet.
Source: Emirates News Agency