Tuesday, 10 July 2018 19:20

Umtiti's headed goal off a corner takes the 1998 winners into the final of the World Cup.
Samuel Umtiti's headed goal in the 51st minute helped France beat Belgium 1-0 and books a place in the World Cup final.
Didier Deschamps' side will face England or Croatia in Moscow on Sunday as the French look to lift the trophy for the second time following their triumph on home soil in 1998.
In an enthralling tactical match on Tuesday, it was once again a set-piece that proved decisive with Umtiti's near-post header from an Antoine Griezmann corner settling matters.
Belgium took early control of midfield with France content to sit deep and eliminate the threat of counter-attacks from Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne.
But it was by no means a purely negative approach as the French offered their own danger on the break, perfectly illustrated when Paul Pogba’s delivery sent Kylian Mbappe racing towards goal and Belgium were thankful their keeper Thibaut Courtois was alert to snuff out the danger.
It was a fascinating first half and all that was missing was a goal but one came soon after the break.
From Griezmann's corner, Umtiti beat Marouane Fellaini at the near post and powered a header home to put France ahead.
Fellaini flashed a header just wide and Axel Witsel forced a good save out of Lloris as Belgium pushed forward for an equaliser and France hung on in six minutes of stoppage time to book their place in the final.
< Prev | Next > |
---|
Most Read Articles
Most Read News
Donation
Related
- UN chief sees 'parallels' with 1930s amid nationalism warnings
- Macron urges world leaders to 'fight for peace' on WWI centenary
- Statue of footballer Mo Salah draws online ridicule
- Macron hails New Caledonia vote to 'remain French'
- FIFA hints at expanding Qatar 2022 World Cup to wider Gulf region
- US charges Chinese intelligence officers for jet engine data hack
Featured_Author
Opinion
![]() |
MESA; Arab NATO-like Alliance |
Elias Akleh | |
![]() |
A Tale of Two Massacres |
Lawrence Davidson | |
![]() |
November Surprises |
Will Durst | |
![]() |
Birthright Citizenship – Just and Justified |
Sheldon Richman | |
![]() |
Brett Kavanaugh and Mohammad bin Salman |
Jacob Hornberger | |
![]() |
Richard Hardigan, The Other Side of the Wall |
Ludwig Watzal | |
![]() |
Bolton’s Red Sky Worldview: ICC, International Law, and Iran |
Richard Falk |