FIFA World Cup 2018 semifinals: Umtiti scores only goal, France reaches finals beating Belgium

July 13, 2018 On Tuesday, France defeated Belgium 1–0 in the FIFA football World Cup semifinals. scored the only goal of the match, and France is to play Croatia in the final.

Belgium had better ball possession in the match. French forward Olivier Giroud faced some of his Chelsea teammates Thibaut Courtois and Eden Hazard. In the 19th minute, Eden Hazard's attempt for the goal was headed away by French defender Raphaël Varane. French goalkeeper saved 's shot in the 22nd minute. was denied the opening goal by Courtois in the 39th minute. The first half ended goallessly.

In the second half, Romelu Lukaku missed a chance to put Belgium in lead, from Axel Witsel's assist. Olivier Giroud missed a chance in the 51st minute, blocked. Antoine Griezmann took the corner, and French defender scored from a header, giving France the lead. assisted Giroud five minutes later but was blocked.

Belgium made the first substitution at the one-hour mark as was substituted off for. Hazard was the first player to receive a yellow card in the match, for a bad foul in the 63rd minute. was booked in the 71st minute. missed a chance to equalise for Belgium in the 76th minute from Hazard's assist. Paul Pogba's 79th-minute shot missed the target.

Belgium used their second substitution in the 80th minute as was replaced by Yannick Carrasco. Lloris stopped Witsel's shot on target in the 81st minute. In the last few minutes of the 90-minute game, French defender was injured and was replaced by. , Mbappé and were booked late in the game. The match ended with France scoring the only goal.

After the match, Belgian coach said, "It was a close game and it was very tight and it was going to be decided by that bit of luck in front of goal. The attitude of the players was brilliant and we couldn't ask for any more. We have to understand one team wins and the other loses, and we did what we could."

French coach said, "The most important match is on Sunday, we have given ourselves a huge privilege to reach the final of the World Cup. I was there two years ago [Euro 2016 final] and it was so painful that we want to taste the victory now. It is nothing to win the semi-final after losing in the final two years ago, we have this privilege to give happiness to these people, but we will try to give even more happiness on Sunday."

This is the second consecutive final for France in a major tournament. Two years ago, France reached the finals of UEFA Euro 2016, but lost to Portugal in the extra time.

France is now to face Croatia. France has featured in two FIFA World Cup finals to date, winning the 1998 tournament, while losing the 2006 World Cup to Italy.