Samuel Umtiti’s 51st minute header was the difference as France edged Belgium in a tight encounter at St. Petersburg on Tuesday evening.
Considering the conservative nature of both coaches despite the young, vibrant and talented players at their disposal this game was one to be decided by the littlest of details.
Both teams started out being cautious but the game soon came alive especially as the Belgian Red Devils grew into it more controlling possession and creating a number of chances with Hugo Lloris called into action a couple of times. Belgium however failed to make their dominance count.
France also had a couple of chances with the closest being Giroud’s header off an Mbappe cross but the Chelsea striker flashed his effort just wide. Pavard then tested Courtois in the Belgium goal but the goalkeeper saved brilliantly with his out stretched leg.
With the scores level at the break, both teams came out in search of a goal in the second period and it was France who got the breakthrough after an initial effort from Giroud was blocked.
From then on Belgium who are the highest scoring side at the 2018 FIFA World Cup tried everything possible to get back into the game but Hugo Lloris and the centre back pairing of Raphael Varane and Samuel Umtiti were first to every aerial ball and threatening pass from the Belgians.
At the end of 90 mins plus added time, it is France who will be lining up against the winner of the game between Croatia and England in the finals of the FIFA World Cup on Sunday.
Finally, popular opinion is that the winner of the France vs Belgium game would go on to lift the FIFA World Cup. Well, here’s a stat that might mean history could repeat itself on Sunday.
