France 1-0 Belgium: World Cup highlights and recap

France beat Belgium 1-0 in the semifinals of the World Cup on Tuesday, July 10. Here are all the highlights from the match.

France beat Belgium 1-0 to reach their first World Cup final in 12 years on Tuesday, riding Samuel Umtiti’s goal early in the second half to the win. As has been the case all tournament, Les Bleus, despite their attacking talent, rode a stubborn, well-drilled defense, shielded by the impeccable N’Golo Kante, to victory.

Once again, Roberto Martinez raised eyebrows with his team selection, bringing in Mousa Dembele, who has barely featured all tournament, for the suspended Thomas Meunier. Belgium lined up with a back four without the ball, with Nacer Chadli at right-back, and a back three with it, with Chadli pushing high and wide.

France, as they’re wont to do under Didier Deschamps, sat back, hoping to absorb Belgium’s pressure and hit them on the counter. They certainly didn’t look secure at the back, however, facing by far the best attacking team they’ve seen all tournament, and often struggled to work their way up the pitch when they won the ball.

For Belgium, Eden Hazard was particularly bright, running at Benjamin Pavard with great success early on. He dragged an effort wide from close range in the 15th minute, and found space again in the 19th, drilling a shot that was destined for the top corner before Raphael Varane headed it clear.

France grew into the game as the half wore on, and produced arguably the best chance of the half in the 39th minute. Kylian Mbappe, who had drawn several defenders at the top of Belgium’s box, slipped in Pavard, who was denied by an excellent save by Thibaut Courtois with his leg.

Les Bleus took the lead shortly after halftime, Samuel Umtiti heading in a corner at the front post. Marouane Fellaini could have perhaps have reacted quicker, but it was a good header by Umtiti, who was a ahead of the front post when he flicked on the ball, and gave Courtois no chance.

From there, Deschamps’ side did what they do best: defend. That can be a frustrating approach given the attacking talent in the squad, but they’ve made it this far on the strength of their defending, and with Belgium not short of attacking talent of their own it was an understandable reaction to taking the lead.

Martinez made changes as Belgium chased the game, bringing on first Dries Mertens for Dembele and then Yannick Carrasco for Fellaini, but they didn’t have the desired effect. In particular, they lacked width, with Hazard, by far their most dangerous player, coming narrow to get on the ball. Good as he was, it wasn’t enough.

Next: The best player on every team at the World Cup

Highlights

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1016761967409655808

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1016763070457114624

France will play the winner of England-Croatia in the final on Sunday, July 15.