In a tense encounter, France secured a victory against Belgium in the round of 16 of Euro 2024, thanks to a late own goal from Jan Vertonghen. The match saw Kylian Mbappe struggling to adjust to his protective mask, reflecting the team's overall discomfort in the attacking department.

Despite their win, France's offensive struggles continued as they failed to score from open play for the third consecutive match in Germany. Out of their 19 attempts against Belgium, only two were on target, highlighting their inefficiency in front of goal. With just three goals in the tournament so far, Les Bleus sit at the bottom of the remaining teams in terms of scoring.

The winning goal came in the 85th minute, when Randal Kolo Muani's strike deflected off Vertonghen and found the back of the net. While France's lackluster offensive display has been a recurring topic in press conferences, manager Didier Deschamps remains defiant and emphasizes the importance of the goal, whether deflected or an own goal.

Fans have voiced their concerns about the team's dull performances, identifying scoring goals as a key component in football entertainment. Comparatively, hosts Germany have netted ten goals, leaving France with much ground to cover.

Deschamps acknowledges the need for improvement and recognizes that France possesses the ability to score more. However, he downplays the issue by asserting that they have had their chances despite failing to capitalize on them. The manager hopes to see his side overcome any potential psychological barriers and take control of their destiny in the coming matches.

Facing a Belgian side that seemed overly cautious, France's path to victory may have been relatively fortunate. However, as they progress deeper into the tournament and potentially face more confident opposition, their attackers will need to find their form and deliver decisive performances.

Deschamps has experimented with different approaches, including benching Antoine Griezmann and tactical adjustments, in an effort to ignite the forward line. Yet, the manager believes that getting Mbappe comfortable wearing his protective mask, following his broken nose, may greatly aid the team's offensive output. Mbappe's impressive scoring record both for France and his former club Paris St-Germain highlights his potential impact.

Despite the challenges posed by the mask, Mbappe's movement on the pitch against Belgium was promising. However, his finishing lacked accuracy, with several shots soaring above the goal. Deschamps assures that Mbappe is gradually getting used to it, although sweating remains a concern as it affects his vision by fractions of a second.

As France looks ahead to their quarter-final matchup, they must address their offensive struggles and find ways to convert opportunities into goals. With the competition toughening, the team will need their attackers to step up and seize control of their fate.

Overall, while the win against Belgium secured France's advancement, it also highlighted the pressing need for improvement in their attacking efficiency.