The much-anticipated clash between Belgium and France lived up to its billing, with Belgium narrowly edging past their rivals 1-0. The game was a tactical chess match between two of the tournament favorites. Both teams displayed strong defensive organization, making clear-cut chances a rare commodity.

The turning point came in the 67th minute when Kevin De Bruyne, returning from injury, unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box that deflected off a French defender and looped into the net. De Bruyne’s presence added much-needed creativity and composure to the Belgian midfield.

France struggled to break through Belgium’s solid backline, with Kylian Mbappé’s pace and dribbling skills effectively nullified. The result cements Belgium’s position as favorites in Group B and leaves France needing a strong performance in their next match to avoid an early exit from the competition.