France vs. Belgium: A Footballing History in the Making.
Considering some of the iconic rivalries that have taken place in football, few bear the passion and historic rivalry that is always at play when France goes against Belgium. These two giants in football have often faced pitches against each other numerous times. Most of the matches have been filled with drama, memorable moments, or even national pride. From friendly early on to high-stakes showdowns in major international tournaments, their head-to-head is replete with fascinating stories that chronicle the transformation of football across Europe.
Head-to-Head: A Closely Contested Affair
France and Belgium have clashed a total of 75 times in football history. From friendly games to the proper flow of competitive matches and those in major tournaments, these games have thus brought up quite a number of results, juxtaposing fluctuations in the fortunes of both teams.
Total Matches Played: 75
France: 26
Belgium: 30
Draws: 19
While the rivalry has been slightly in favor of Belgium, with Belgium winning 30 matches and France having won 26, the latter have closed the gap significantly over the years, especially in the crucial matches. The remaining 19 matches have been drawn, with a view on how tightly matched these two sides often are.
This started in the early 20th century, and the ebb and flow of victories between the sides ensure that each encounter is unpredictable.
Key Moments in the Rivalry
One of the most significant earlier meetings between the two came in 1920, when the hosts Belgium won 3-2 in a match at the Antwerp Olympics, a competition they went onto win the gold medal. That match laid the foundations for this fixture being competitive, as both sides established themselves as European footballing powers.
A turning point in this rivalry was the 1984 European Championship group stage match, where France defeated Belgium by 5-0. That victory has become a defining point in French football history, epitomizing the beginning of the golden generation through the inspiration of the one and only Michel Platini. Platini scored a hat-trick in that match as France emerged with a resounding win on home turf.
More recently, France and Belgium faced off in the 2018 FIFA World Cup semifinals, one of the most expected matches because both teams were at the top of their game. France won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Samuel Umtiti, thus sending them to the final for a win of their second World Cup title. The victory made the fuel burn hotter inside their rivalry because Belgium wanted their first-ever World Cup trophy.
Read more about the 2018 World Cup semifinals here.
Major Tournament Encounters
Though Belgium has the slight edge with its higher number of wins, when it comes to encounters between the two nations in major tournaments, this trend swings in favor of France:
- France Wins: 7
- Belgium Wins: 3
- Draws: 3
This record underlines France's ability to raise its game when it really matters. Belgium may have one of their best teams, but all too often, they have failed to get the better of their opponents when it comes to crucial matches. Indeed, from 13 matches at major tournaments, France's 7 wins underlined their ability to handle the pressure on the international stage, including the 1986 World Cup third-place playoff, Euro 1984 group stage and **2018 World Cup semifinals.
The Belgians have, however, pulled some significant wins of their own in major competitions. One of the most memorable was in the UEFA Nations League semifinals in 2021 when Belgium led 2-0, only for France to mount a comeback and defeat 3-2 with a last-minute goal from Theo Hernandez.
Recent Encounters: France Dominates Again
Their most recent encounter was in the UEFA European Championship on July 1, 2024. The match was again very competitive between the two teams, as France once more won by 1-0. That goal came from none other than one of the standout players of France these last years: Kylian Mbappé. His ability to deliver during the key moments furthered the edge of France in matches against Belgium.
This victory extended France's good record against them in the recent past, especially in big tournaments. Belgium, despite their much-vaunted squad that boasts the talents of Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, among others, have simply not been able to find a way through France when it has mattered in recent times.
Click here to learn more about the victory of France over Belgium in Euro 2024.
The Tactical Battle
France and Belgium come into the match with tactical contrasts in their style of play that make their encounters rather intriguing. France, under coach Didier Deschamps, often strikes a balance; solidity at the back through the middle, combined with explosive counter-attacking football. This was quite visible during their 2018 World Cup campaign, whereby their disciplined defense and swift counters allowed them to see off teams like Belgium and Croatia.
Belgium, on its part, is more aggressive in its tactics, relying on creative midfielders and powerful forwards to overwhelm opponents. Under coach Roberto Martínez, Belgium has often adopted a formation of 3-4-3, giving the wing-backs license to push forward and add to the attack. Though this approach has yielded a lot of goals, it has also left them open to counter-attacks, as their defeat to France in 2018 showed.
This tactical juxtaposition often creates very entertaining matches, as Belgium tries to dominate the possession while France waits for lapses in defense to utilize their speedy forwards.
The Importance of This Rivalry
The France vs. Belgium rivalry is larger than football itself. Taking into account that the two nations are close to each other, and also share cultural ties, these matches carry added importance for fans on either side of the border. French and Belgian football enthusiasts are the same in passion, and for some instances, these matches mean the battle for regional supremacy. There always hangs something at stake-be it a friendly match or the semifinal of the World Cup.
This is also a rivalry representative of the extension of football developments in Europe. Both countries have churned out world-class players and inspired changes in tactics in the game. And with each passing day, France and Belgium keep pace with evolving football, innovations, and talent development.
Countdown to Future Encounters
France against Belgium is going to look great for many years with such a big amount of young talented players on both teams. Players like Kylian Mbappé, Aurélien Tchouaméni from France, and Jérémy Doku, Charles De Ketelaere from Belgium will be those to take up the rivalry in the years to come.
More exciting matches should be expected from the teams, with bigger competitions like the 2026 World Cup on the way. With neither of them showing a stutter in putting out great squads, another high-stakes match between them does not seem unlikely.
Conclusion:
The rivalry between France and Belgium has brought about some of the most thrilling matches in the history of football. With Belgium having a slight edge in total wins but France dominant in major tournaments, both nations have developed a rivalry created on mutual respect and fierce competition. Given the contrasting style of play, the tactical battles, and rich history, this is one of the most anticipated fixtures in European football.
This budding rivalry promises even more moments for football lovers worldwide.
Read about great rivalries that shape European football here.