Arunava about Football A look at football & the world through my eyes!
Related Articles
The 2018 FIFA World Cup continued on Tuesday, July 10 evening with an Umtiti header winning it for France over Belgium in the first semifinal at the Saint Petersburg Stadium.
France started off defensive, while Belgium tried their best to get an early goal but despite chances for Eden Hazard (twice) or Toby Alderweireld, they were denied by the French.
Towards the end of the first half, France became more active and had their best chance when Mbappe found Pavard but his attempt was cleared by Courtois. At the break it was goalless.
Belgium had the first chance of the second session, but Lukaku headed wide. In the 51st minute, France then went ahead when a corner was headed in by Samuel Umtiti.
Belgium now needed to come back and nearly conceded a second through Giroud. But thereafter France defended even deeper as Belgium had their problems to find a way through and when they did, de Bruyne, Fellaini or Witsel just could not score.
In the end, France scored a 1-0 win over their neighbours Belgium and reached the final of the 2018 FIFA World Cup on Sunday.
FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 – Semifinal
France 1-0 (0-0) Belgium
Goals: 1-0 Samuel Umtiti (51′)
France: Lloris – Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Lucas – Kanté – Pogba, Matuidi (86′ Tolisso) – Mbappé, Giroud (85′ N’Zonzi), Griezmann
Subs: Areola, Mandanda, Kimpembe, Mendy, Rami, Sidibé, Lemar, Dembelé, Fekir, Thauvin
Belgium: Courtois – Alderweireld, Kompany, Vertonghen – Witsel, Dembelé (60′ Mertens) – Chadli (90’+1 Batshuayi), De Bruyne, Fellaini (80′ Carrasco), E. Hazard – R. Lukaku
Subs: Casteels, Mignolet, Boyata, Vermaelen, Dendoncker, Tielemans, T. Hazard, Januzaj
Referee: Andres Cunha (Uruguay)
Man of the Match: Samuel Umtiti (France)
