France 2-1 Belgium: Les Bleues book spot in the Euro 2022 quarter-finals with comfortable Group D win

France booked their spot in the Euro 2022 quarter-finals with a comfortable 2-1 win over Belgium in Rotherham. Corinne Diacre's side scored both goals in the first half as they made it two victories from two in the group stages with a performance that was far more dominant than the scoreline suggests.

Ad/> It did not take long for Les Bleues to get into their stride, taking the lead after just six minutes when Delphine Cascarino’s back post cross was met by Kadidiatou Diani, who rose highest to head home from six yards. The PSG striker nearly got a second shortly afterwards, only for goalkeeper Nicky Evrard to make a stunning save from point-blank range.

Euro 2022France and Diacre look to banish in-fighting of 2019 on the road to Euro glory — Inside Europe11/07/2022 AT 15:33 France were rampant and created numerous chances to extend their advantage, but Belgium equalised completely against the run of play through Janice Cayman, who stabbed past Pauline Peyraud-Magnin after Tessa Wullaert’s superb pass. Parity lasted for merely five minutes though as Griedge Mbock Bathy restored the lead before the break, meeting Clara Mateo’s whipped cross and finding the back of the net.

Les Bleus struggled to find quite the same momentum after the break, although Cascarino did drag one shot wide, while Ouleymata Sarr was left disappointed when her heavy touch allowed ‘keeper Nicky Evrard to race off her line and claim. The substitute really should have put the game to bed shortly afterwards when picked out in acres of space in the area, only for an unbelievably tame shot to be comfortably pushed away.