Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville said that Jan Vertonghen of Belgium cost his team the match as they lost 1-0 to France in their Round of 16 clash at Euro 2024. First half was dominated by neither of these teams, each of them keeping Düsseldorf pinned down. But in the second half, Vertonghen could only watch as a late, deflected strike from Kolo Muani finally got the better of Casteels to seal the victory for Didier Deschamps’ side.
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has said Belgium’s Jan Vertonghen cost his team as they lost 1-0 to France in their Round of 16 clash at Euro 2024
There were no goals in the first half, with both teams holding their own in Düsseldorf.
However, in the second half, Kolo Muani’s late deflected strike off Vertonghen beat Casteels and gave Didier Deschamps’ side victory.
Neville said on ITV: “I think Vertonghen is going to be really disappointed [about the goal, and not just because it gets credited to him as an own goal]. He’s got to shift up. Kolo Muani doesn’t do anything amazing. He’s a little bit scruffy on the turn.”.
“But he’s got to shift up. Once you’re one or two yards off, that’s not unlucky; it falls into the category of poor defending, and he knows that; he’s an experienced player. It’s a big mistake and he will be devastated.”
France will now face the winner of Portugal vs. Slovenia in the quarterfinals.