Full-time: France 1-0 Belgium Les Bleus are into the World Cup final, leaving Belgium’s golden generation to compete for bronze! Umtiti’s goal from a set-piece and France’s excellent defending were the difference between the sides.
UMTITI!!! France get the breakthrough. Belgium are stunned! It comes from a set-piece. Griezmann whips one in and Umtiti attacks it at the near post, beats Fellaini to it and glances one into the net. That’s a HUGE goal. World Cup final is in the sights for the French now.
France are playing some champagne football right now. Matuidi feeds Mbappe on the edge of the area. The youngster comes up with an audacious backheel that send Giroud through on goal. The Chelsea striker’s attempt though was blocked by an outstretched leg of Dembele. Belgium do not have an answer to France’s threat right now.
Roberto Martinez sent o Dries Mertens and he almost produced a goal. Lukaku slipped him clear on the right to the byline. He chipped a cross which was headed away as far as De Bruyne inside the area. But the Man City man just did not catch his attempted volley.
Belgium are now bombarding the French penalty box with terrific crosses and Varane and co. are being forced to deal with it. They have no room for errors, what with the likes of Lukaku and Fellaini lurking. Mertens has already sent in three dangerous crosses. It’s getting intense.
We’re into the final 10 minutes and Belgium are increasingly desperate. Meanwhile, Axel Witsel blasts one from distance and Lloris has to get down smartly to save the day.France have taken off Giroud. The intention is clear. Deschamps wants his team to sit deep and protect the lead. Belgium are frustrated at the constant stoppages of play. Just no momentum for the Red Devils.
6 minutes additional time allotted for Belgium to find an equaliser. That’s all there is between France and a spot in the World Cup final as well. Right at the end of the injury time, Pogba breaks forward and plays in Tolisso who draws a save out of Lloris.
ALLEZ LES BLUES!! France are marching to Moscow. They will play for the biggest trophy in the sport, come Sunday.
Belgium are heart-broken. They have had a fantastic campaign but it ends at the hands of Griezmann, Pogba and company. France weathered the early Belgian storm and then came into their own. All they needed was a goal from Samuel Umtiti and it brings back memories of Spain 2010 where they beat Germany in the semifinal, thanks to a header from Carles Puyol.
Roberto Martinez’s verdict
