France 2-1 Belgium: Player ratings as Les Bleus book Euro 2022 quarter final place

France secured their progress to the Euro 2022 quarter finals as group winners with a 2-1 victory over Belgium at the New York Stadium on Thursday evening.

Kadidiatou Diani and Griedge Mbock Bathy scored either side of Janice Cayman's surprise equaliser to see Les Bleus to victory and into the knockout stages with one game to spare.

Having hit Italy for five last time out, France carried on from where they left off and took the lead inside six minutes. The ping to the left flank from Wendie Renard was near identical to the one she produced in the build up to France's opening goal against Italy four days earlier, Delphine Cascarino fed the overlapping Sakina Karchaoui, and her deep cross was headed in at the back post by Kadidiatou Diani.

France continued to wreak havoc down the left flank and Diani almost added a second 10 minutes later, but Nicky Evrard kept the winger's effort out with her leg.

Les Bleus continued to dominate and spent much of the opening period camped in the Belgium half - only for Belgium to equalise after 36 minutes with their first foray forward. Tessa Wullaert fed Janice Cayman with a fabulous through ball, and the Belgium winger slid in to prod home.

Normal order was restored three minutes later as France regained the lead. Clara Mateo bent in a cross from the left hand side and a stooping Mbock Bathy nodded home.

France continued to enjoy the larger share of possession but with just a one goal advantage and Belgium looking increasingly dangerous on the counter attack, the result remained in balance for the entirety of the second half.

Les Bleus were given a golden opportunity to extend their advantage in the 89th minute when Amber Tysiak was very harshly penalised for handball in the area after Grace Geyoro's effort struck her hand from close range. To add insult to injury, the Belgium substitute received a second yellow card and received her marching orders. However, Renard saw her penalty saved by Evrard, before blazing the rebound wide.

France vs Belgium, Euro 2022 player ratings

France (4-3-3)

GK: Pauline Peyraud-Magnin - 6/10 - Had a bit of a mix up with her back line on occasions when claiming crosses, with Belgium always looking dangerous whenever they were able to deliver the ball into the box.

RB: Eve Perisset - 7/10 - Lost the run of Wullaert in the build up to Belgium's equaliser. Impressed again going forward.

CB: Wendie Renard - 6/10 - Produced a great switch of play for the opener, similar to the pass she played for her side's first goal against Italy four days earlier. Always a threat from corners, but was beaten to the ball by Cayman for Belgium's equaliser and saw her unconvincing penalty saved as the clock ticked down.

CB: Griedge Mbock Bathy - 7/10 - Popped up with France's second with a stooping header and some predatory striker-esque movement.

LB: Sakina Karchaoui - 8/10 - Overlapped and delivered a dangerous back post delivery for France's opener. Looks like one of the best fullbacks at the tournament.

CM: Charlotte Bilbault - 7/10 - Typically quietly effective, doing the simple things very well.

CM: Clara Mateo - 8/10 - Set up France's equaliser with a bending cross. Constantly caused problems with her set piece delivery. Full of running, really effective.

CM: Grace Geyoro - 7/10 - Bursting with energy, another tireless performance.

RW: Kadidiatou Diani - 8/10 - Headed France into the lead inside six minutes, nodding in at the back post. Caused chaos with her skill and quick feet.

ST: Marie-Antoinette Katoto - N/A - Hobbled off injured after 15 minutes and was later seen on crutches icing her knee.

LW: Delphine Cascarino - 8/10 - Fabulous feet. So direct and creative, a constant threat.

SUB: Ouleymata Sarr - 6/10

SUB: Selma Bacha - 6/10

SUB: Sandie Toletti - 6/10

Belgium

GK: Nicky Evrard - 6/10 - Made a good stop with her leg to keep out Diani from point blank range in the first half. A really commanding presence. Notched up her second penalty save of Euro 2022 by keeping Renard out from 12 yards.

RB: Jody Vangheluwe - 4/10 - Had a really tough time of it up against the vibrant duo of Cascarino and Karchaoui, with France frequently seeing joy down the Belgium right. Replaced at half time.

CB: Sari Kees - 6/10 - No rest up all evening having to deal with the onslaught of French crosses. Popped up with a selection of important blocks and interceptions.

CB: Laura De Neve - 6/10 - Very busy dealing with wave after wave of French attack, but held her own before being replaced in the second half.

LB: Davina Philtjens - 5/10 - Beaten in the air by Diani for France's opener and really struggled up against the trickery of the French winger. Replaced just before the hour.

CM: Justine Vanhaevermaet - 6/10 - Relentless in her running and tracking back against an energetic France midfield. A massive shift, before being replaced before the hour.

CM: Julie Biesmans - 6/10 - Full of running for the full 90 to keep up with France's dynamic midfield.

RW: Elena Dhont - 5/10 - Lost the run of Karchaoui in the build up to France's opener. Didn't offer Vangheluwe a great deal of protection against the marauding French left flank.

CAM: Tine De Caigny - 5/10 - Unable to have a real attacking influence on the game, with Belgium largely limited in their opportunities in the final third.

LW: Janice Cayman - 7/10 - Quicker to the ball to slide home Belgium's surprise equaliser. Minutes later she lost the run of Mbock Bathy as France retook the lead.

ST: Tessa Wullaert - 7/10 - Instrumental in Belgium's equaliser slicing through the French backline with a cutting through ball.

SUB: Marie Minnaert - 5/10

SUB: Féli Delacauw - 5/10

SUB: Laura Deloose - 5/10

SUB: Hannah Eurlings - 5/10

SUB: Amber Tysiak - 4/10 - Only on the pitch for 19 minutes after receiving two yellow cards - the second was hugely harsh.