France are in the World Cup final

Tuesday, July 10 2018

FIFA World Cup semi-final

France 1-0 Belgium

THE MATCH

France were superb defensively as Deschamps set his side up to soak up the Belgian pressure and hit Roberto Martinez’s team on the break. The winner came from a set-piece (51′) as Umtiti soared to greet an Antoine Griezmann right-wing corner and the Barcelona defender’s header flicked off Marouane Fellaini on its way past Thibaut Courtois.

Belgium set up in a 4-3-3 with Jan Vertonghen deputed to attempt to deal with the quicksilver Kylian Mbappé. When France won the ball in their own third they skillfully played their way out and Paul Pogba was so close to picking out an exceptional Mbappé surge (13′).

Eden Hazard (16′) had a dangerous attempt and two minutes later Blaise Matuidi – excellent on the night – caught a half-volley sweetly. It was straight at Courtois. Raphaël Varane was a rock at the back and he somehow managed to head a powerful Hazard shot over the bar (19′).

Toby Alderweireld (21′) brought the best out of France captain Hugo Lloris, while at the other end Olivier Giroud had several attempts that he either couldn’t connect with or were blocked. Right-back Benjamin Pavard, the scorer of a dream goal against Argentina in the round of 16, was thwarted by a diving Courtois (39′) as the sides went in locked at 0-0.

Romelu Lukaku was by and large kept quiet by France and could have done better with a 48^th minute header. Giroud had another attempt blocked (56′) and Fellaini headed wide (65′) as the tension mounted. Lloris was again to the rescue (81′) as Axel Witsel let fly with a swerving shot.

Belgium continued to push to no avail. France almost added another through Griezmann (90+3′) and then Courtois was magnificent to repel a shot by substitute Corentin Tolisso (90+6′).

THE PLAYER: Kylian Mbappé

At 19 years of age Mbappé was the outstanding player of the World Cup semi-final. From the opening minute when he raced down the right, through to the sublime piece of skill that set up Giroud for a chance early in the second half, Mbappé was simply outstanding. The Paris Saint-Germain forward was France’s out ball on the break and showed great maturity in terms of when to run with the ball and when to look for a better placed team-mate.

THE STAT: 3

France are through to their third World Cup final from six FIFA World Cup semi-finals played. France won the 1998 final against Brazil on home soil and lost the 2006 final on penalties to Italy in Germany. Les Bleus became the first team to beat Belgium since Spain in September 2016. Now Deschamps’ side have the opportunity to make up for the pain of losing the 2016 UEFA Euro final to Portugal.