Umtiti France's unlikely hero as 'Les Bleus' secure final date

Much was expected of the game pre-match as two of the most star-studded squads in the world faced off in St Petersburg.

Whilst the expected goalfest did not come to pass, the game was nevertheless an entertaining one as the two sides served up an intense, enthralling affair.

Belgium were the first to threaten as the outstanding Eden Hazard dragged an effort narrowly wide of the far post after being slipped in by Kevin De Bruyne, whilst Blaise Matuidi saw a powerful drive kept out at the other end.

Hazard went close again just minutes later when his fierce curling effort was headed over the bar by Raphael Varane.

The 'Red Devils' were well on top at this point, but were unable to find a way past Hugo Lloris, who produced one particularly impressive stop away to his right to deny Toby Alderweireld.

The French improved as the half went on, with Kylian Mbappe once again shining, though Olivier Giroud was unable to turn the ball home after Mbappe cushioned a pass into his path 11 minutes before the break.

At the half-time whistle approached France created the best chance of the game so far as Mbappe slipped in the overlapping Benjamin Pavard down the right, but his angled drive was kept out by the leg of Thibaut Courtois.

With that the two sides went in at the break level and the game continued in a similar vein after the restart.

The largely anonymous Romelu Lukaku headed a rare chance high over the bar, before Umtiti showed him how it's done at the other end to open the scoring.

antoine Griezmann flighted in a corner from the right and the centre-back got the run on his marker at the near post to flick a simple header beyond Courtois and into the back of the net.

It could and perhaps should have been two five minutes later as Mbappe fed Giroud with an outrageous flick, but Mousa Dembele came from nowhere to make a superb last-ditch challenge to deny him a clean strike on goal.

The introduction of Dries Mertens briefly sparked some life in Roberto Martinez's side, with Marouane Fellaini heading one of his crosses narrowly wide before Axel Witsel saw a rasping drive punched away by Lloris.

However, as the minutes ticked away France simply looked more and more dangerous on the counter. Griezmann and substitute Corentin Tolisso both had opportunities to seal the win in stoppage time, only to be denied by fine saves from Courtois, but it didn't matter in the end as 'Les Bleus' progressed to Sunday's final where they will face either England or Croatia.

 

July 10, 2018