For the third time in 20 years, Samuel Umtiti’s headed winner has returned France to the FIFA World Cup Final, sealing a 1-0 win over Belgium in Saint Petersburg.
In the quarter-finals against Uruguay, Raphael Varane performed heroics, this time it was Umtiti, stealing a march on his marker Marouane Fellaini to meet Antoine Griezmann’s corner at the near post. He flicked a header beyond Thibaut Courtois.
After a quality game by both sides, France’s place in the Moscow finale was confirmed.
Team reporter analyst Adrien Gingold from France shared: “France continue their brilliant showing as they avoided falling into Belgium’s trap. After the Red Devils had dominated the first half, largely thanks to an awesome Eden Hazard, France took responsibility and controlled the match in the second. Didier Deschamps’ team has many faces to it, but they are all smiling now.”
Niall Mullen snorts – “France are good at stopping football matches from happening,”
Kai Tulinuis said – “This is one of the most high level performances from two teams at the business end of a World Cup I can remember in recent years. Perhaps Spain-Germany in 2010 comes close. This wouldn’t have looked out of place as a Champions League semifinal.”
Budweiser Man of the Match
Samuel Umtiti played the pivotal role in sending France into the Final.
The statistics
Only Didier Deschamps took full charge of more France games at the World Cup. No coach has ever done that so far. He will extend that record even further on Sunday having moved beyond Raymond Domenech and Michel Hidalgo on Tuesday.
Next match
France vs. Croatia, Final, July the 15th, Moscow
