Adrien Rabiot, the France midfielder, commended his team’s “very solid” victory over Belgium at the Uefa Euro 2024 but expressed disappointment over receiving a “harsh” booking from referee Glenn Nyberg, which will force him to miss Les Bleus’ quarter-final match.
The decisive goal came in the 85th minute when Randal Kolo Muani’s shot deflected off Jan Vertonghen’s knee and past goalkeeper Koen Casteels, breaking the deadlock in a game that seemed headed for extra time.
Rabiot, speaking to L’Equipe, stated, “We had control of the match and could have scored more. Despite their strong defense, we pushed until the end and emerged victorious.”
He added, “Our team is very strong and compact defensively. We excelled in one-on-one battles, which is our strength. This victory is a testament to our determination.”
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Euro 2024: France triumphs over Belgium
Despite being considered tournament favorites, France’s slow start to the Euro 2024 continued as they struggled to find the back of the net against Germany.
Although they dominated with 19 shots compared to Belgium’s 5, only two of France’s shots were on target, with Kylian Mbappe failing to make a significant impact.
When asked about the change in formation from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3 by head coach Didier Deschamps, Rabiot responded, “The coach made the decision, and as professionals, we adapt to his tactics.”
WE’RE GOING, ALL TOGETHER! 💙✨
🇫🇷1-0🇧🇪 | #FRABEL | #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/8Eat9oaiFj
— French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) July 1, 2024
Euro 2024 quarter-finals: Rabiot suspended
Rabiot expressed his disappointment at being suspended for the semi-final match against Portugal or Slovenia on July 5 in Hamburg due to receiving a yellow card. He described the referee’s decision as “harsh” and expressed confidence in his teammates to perform in his absence.
Impressed by the performances of Muani and Saliba, Rabiot emphasized the importance of unity within the team. “We are a strong and united group, always ready to support each other,” he said.
Reflecting on the match, Rabiot praised the defensive efforts of the team, highlighting Jules Kounde’s performance against Belgium winger Jeremy Doku.