By D. Crossan
Goals from Raphaël Varane and Antoine Griezmann saw impressive France beat Uruguay 2-0 to reach the semi-finals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Friday, July 6, 2018
FIFA World Cup, quarter-finals
Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Nizhny Novgorod
France 2-0 Uruguay 
THE MATCH
Les Bleus coped with roughhouse tactics from the South Americans, who lacked injured Paris Saint-Germain star Edinson Cavani, out with a damaged calf. It may not have been as spectacular a game as the 4-3 success against Argentina in the previous round but France coach Didier Deschamps won’t mind that as his charges showed the attitude and quality that might well see them emulate the 1998 team and lift the trophy.
Uruguay defended doggedly – and physically – as France would have expected from a side that had only conceded once in four matches in Russia. That said, without Cavani Uruguay looked short of the talent required to test Hugo Lloris in the France goal. Oscar Tabarez’s team were good at restricting France’s chances and Les Bleus had only a Kylian Mbappé header over the bar (15′) to show for their efforts and possession before making the vital breakthrough five minutes before the interval.
Griezmann: first supplier, then scorer
Griezmann’s left-footed free-kick from the right was expertly delivered and Varane got in front of Cristhian Stuani to head the ball inside the post. It was a tale of personal redemption for the Real Madrid defender, at fault four years previously when Mats Hummels had scored the quarter-final winner for Germany in Brazil.
On the stroke of half-time Lloris made a magnificent save, keeping out Martin Caceres’ header and Uruguay – lacking inspiration – never came as close again. France made the game safe in the 61st minute when Griezmann’s swerving left-footed shot from outside the box deceived Fernando Muslera, who palmed the ball into his own net.
France were controlled for the remainder of the game as Uruguay never managed to open supply lines to Luis Suarez, and the UEFA Euro 2016 finalists will fancy themselves in the semi-finals in Saint Petersburg on July 10 no matter their opponents, be it Belgium or Brazil.
THE PLAYER: Antoine Griezmann
Up against Atletico Madrid club-mates Diego Godin and Jose Maria Giminez, Griezmann was the key man. France were never allowed the space that Argentina afforded them hence set plays became even more important. Griezmann delivered for the Varane goal. The 27-year-old didn’t celebrate his second-half strike, even looking a touch embarrassed, and yet he’ll be aware of the value of his third goal of the tournament.
THE STAT: 6
France are through to their sixth World Cup semi-final and their first since 2006, when they went on to lose in the final to Italy on penalties.
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