France 1-0 Belgium: Umtiti winner sends Les Bleus into WC final for first time in 12 years

France have progressed to 2018 World Cup final after seeing off Belgium with a Samuel Umtiti header.

Match Events

15' Hazard's shot skips past the post

WIDE! France sloppily concede possession and De Bruyne pokes a pass across to Hazard, who drags a low shot across the face of goal.

18' Matuidi volley held by Courtois

France have their first attempt on goal, as Matuidi fires a fierce effort that stings the gloves of Courtois.

19' Hazard's effort bravely blocked by Varane

Hazard cuts in from the left and unleashes a venomous shot at goal that Varane crucially deflects over the top of his own net.

21' Alderweireld goal-bound shot saved by Spurs teammate Lloris

Chadli's corner falls to Alderweireld, who shoots after a swift turn to force a superb save from Tottenham team-mate Lloris.

29' CLOSE! Giroud's header wide out

Griezmann goes short from the free-kick and plays a pass across to Pavard, who lofts a cross into the box where Giroud flicks a header the wrong side of Courtois' post.

39' WHAT A CHANCE! Pavard's shot saved

France have their best chance of the game as Mbappe flicks a pass through for Pavard, who tries to tuck into the far corner but is prevented by the boot of Courtois.

45' Lukaku somehow misses a tap-in

Lukaku almost has the goal at his mercy as another dangerous cross from De Bruyne creates havoc for the France defence but the ball hits the striker and bounces out of danger.

49' CHANCE! Giroud's shot blocked

Giroud swiftly turns Kompany to provide room for a shot but the Manchester City defender gets a crucial boot to the effort, deflecting the ball behind for a corner.

51' GOAL! France 1-0 Belgium (Umtiti)

France strike first from the resulting corner! Griezmann curls a cross towards the near post where Umtiti rises above Fellaini to head home, with the ball also taking a touch off the Belgium midfielder.

Griezmann has been kept quiet for the majority of the game but his cross for Umtiti was superb, inviting the attacking players to get onto the end of his ball.

56' Giroud's shot blocked after Mbappe fantastic set up

Brilliant from Mbappe! The teenager flicks a deft backheel into the path of Giroud, who is prevented from doubling the scoring by Courtois as he charges off his line.

64' CLOSE! Fellaini's header wide out

Belgium are enjoying a decent period of the ball and Mertens has already provided an impact, whipping a cross to the head of Fellaini but his attempt fails to force Lloris into action.

80' SAVE! Witsel's powerful shot denied by Lloris

Varane brilliantly tackles Hazard but the ball falls to Witsel, who fires a stinging shot towards goal that Lloris punches away.

Match Report

Samuel Umtiti was the unlikely hero as France reached the World Cup final for the third time in 20 years courtesy of a 1-0 win over Belgium in St Petersburg on Tuesday.

Defender Umtiti headed home a corner from Antoine Griezmann in the 51st minute to settle the all-European tie, booking Les Bleus a trip to Moscow and a clash against either Croatia or England.

Goalkeepers Hugo Lloris and Thibaut Courtois both made smart saves to make sure an intriguing game remained scoreless at the interval.

However, Umtiti popped up with the game's telling moment early in the second half, nodding the ball home to score his third international goal.

Belgium pushed hard for an equaliser but Roberto Martinez watched on as his team suffered their first defeat in 25 outings, ending their hopes of winning the tournament for the first time in history as their so-called golden generation came up short.

Beaten finalists at Euro 2016 on home soil, France will aim to go one better in Russia and emulate the successful squad of 1998 which included Didier Deschamps, who could emulate Mario Zagallo and Franz Beckenbauer by winning the World Cup as both a player and manager.

Line-ups

France XI: Lloris (GK)(C); Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Hernandez; Kante, Pogba; Mbappe, Griezmann, Matuidi; Giroud.

Subs: Mandanda (GK), Areoloa (GK), Kimpembe, Lemar, O. Dembele, Tolisso, Nzonzi, Rami, Fekir, Sidibe, Thauvin, Mendy.

Belgium XI: Courtois (GK); Alderweireld, Kompany, Vertonghen; Chadli, Fellaini, M. Dembele, Witsel, De Bruyne; Hazard (C), Lukaku.

Subs: Mignolet (GK), Casteels (GK), Vermaelen, Carrasco, Mertens, T. Hazard, Tielemans, Januzaj, Boyata, Batshuayi, Dendoncker; Meunier (suspended).

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