2018 FIFA World Cup™
Umtiti heads France into the Final
10 Jul 2018
- France book their place in their first World Cup Final for 12 years
- Umtiti header sees off Belgium in well-fought encounter
- Les Bleus to face England or Croatia on 15 July
Samuel Umtiti's headed winner has returned France to the FIFA World Cup™ Final for the third time in 20 years, sealing a 1-0 win over Belgium in Saint Petersburg.
The first half saw chances at either end, with Belgium captain Eden Hazard going close before Hugo Lloris and Thibaut Courtois denied Toby Alderweireld and Benjamin Pavard respectively to ensure the opening period ended all square.
Having seen the best chances come from defenders, it was apt that a centre-back opened the scoring. After Raphael Varane performed heroics in the quarter-finals against Uruguay, this time it was Umtiti, stealing a march on his marker Marouane Fellaini to meet Antoine Griezmann's corner at the near post and flick a header beyond Thibaut Courtois.
Once ahead, France locked down, robbing the Red Devils' star names of space to pick through in the final third, grinding down the clock - while looking to strike on the counter - until their place in the Moscow finale was confirmed.
Team reporter analysis
Adrien Gingold, with France [Follow on Twitter]
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.
Simon Massart, Belgium [Follow: Twitter]
Having a collection of great players individually does not guarantee anything. France and Belgium both have those resources but the former clearly managed get the most out of them in a collective fashion. When the goalkeepers are having a good day, the defence is organised and the rest of the players are very focused, the difference is often just a few small moments. Samuel Umtiti was that difference today. The Red Devils did not manage to find any holes in the French defensive wall when they most needed to.
Gallery: France 1-0 Belgium
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Belgium v France: Samuel Umtiti of France celebrates with team-mates after scoring his team's first goal
10 Jul 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: Samuel Umtiti of France celebrates with team mates after scoring his team's first goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Belgium and France at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
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Belgium v France: Samuel Umtiti of France celebrates after scoring his team's first goal
10 Jul 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: Samuel Umtiti of France celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Belgium and France at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
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Belgium v France: Samuel Umtiti of France scores his team's first goal
10 Jul 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: Samuel Umtiti of France scores his team's first goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Belgium and France at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
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Belgium v France: Samuel Umtiti of France scores his team's first goal past Thibaut Courtois of Belgium
10 Jul 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: Samuel Umtiti of France scores his team's first goal past Thibaut Courtois of Belgium during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Belgium and France at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
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Belgium v France: Kylian Mbappe of France runs with the ball under pressure from Moussa Dembele of Belgium
10 Jul 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: Kylian Mbappe of France runs with the ball under pressure from Moussa Dembele of Belgium during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Belgium and France at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
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Belgium v France: Kylian Mbappe of France runs with the ball
10 Jul 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: Kylian Mbappe of France runs with the ball during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Belgium and France at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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Belgium v France: France fans show their support
10 Jul 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: France fans show their support during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Belgium and France at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
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Belgium v France: Referee Andres Cunha shows a yellow card to Eden Hazard of Belgium
10 Jul 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: Referee Andres Cunha shows a yellow card to Eden Hazard of Belgium during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Belgium and France at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
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Belgium v France: Axel Witsel of Belgium tackles Antoine Griezmann of France
10 Jul 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: Axel Witsel of Belgium tackles Antoine Griezmann of France during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Belgium and France at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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Belgium v France: Olivier Giroud of France attempts a stop under pressure from Vincent Kompany of Belgium
10 Jul 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: Olivier Giroud of France attempts a stop under pressure from Vincent Kompany of Belgium during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Belgium and France at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
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Belgium v France: Eden Hazard of Belgium runs with the ball
10 Jul 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: Eden Hazard of Belgium runs with the ball during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Belgium and France at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
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Belgium v France: Hugo Lloris of France makes a save
10 Jul 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: Hugo Lloris of France makes a save during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Belgium and France at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
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Belgium v France: Eden Hazard of Belgium takes on Blaise Matuidi of France
10 Jul 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: Eden Hazard of Belgium takes on Blaise Matuidi of France during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Belgium and France at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
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Belgium v France: Benjamin Pavard of France shoots wide past Thibaut Courtois of Belgium
10 Jul 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: Benjamin Pavard of France shoots wide past Thibaut Courtois of Belgium during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Belgium and France at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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Belgium v France: Benjamin Pavard of France reacts
10 Jul 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: Benjamin Pavard of France reacts during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Belgium and France at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
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Belgium v France: Olivier Giroud of France battles for possession with Jan Vertonghen of Belgium
10 Jul 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: Olivier Giroud of France battles for possession with Jan Vertonghen of Belgium during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Belgium and France at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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Belgium v France: Belgium wall tries to stop Antoine Griezmann of France's free-kick
10 Jul 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: Belgium wall tries to stop Antoine Griezmann of France's free kick during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Belgium and France at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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Belgium v France: Roberto Martinez, coach of Belgium, gives his team instructions
10 Jul 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: Roberto Martinez, Head coach of Belgium gives his team instructions during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Belgium and France at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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Belgium v France: Kevin de Bruyne of Belgium runs with the ball under pressure from Antoine Griezmann of France
10 Jul 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: Kevin De Bruyne of Belgium runs with the ball under pressure from Antoine Griezmann of France during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Belgium and France at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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Belgium v France: Marouane Fellaini of Belgium challenge for the ball with Ngolo Kante and Olivier Giroud of France
10 Jul 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: Marouane Fellaini of Belgium challenge for the ball with Ngolo Kante and Olivier Giroud of France during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Belgium and France at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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Belgium v France: France coach Didier Deschamps reacts to the touchline
10 Jul 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: Didier Deschamps, Manager of France reacts during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Belgium and France at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
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Belgium v France: Belgium players pose for a team photo
10 Jul 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: Belgium players pose for a team photo during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Belgium and France at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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Belgium v France: France players pose for a team photo
10 Jul 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: France players pose for a team photo during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Belgium and France at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
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Belgium v France: General view inside the stadium as the Belgium and France teams line up
10 Jul 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: General view inside the stadium as the Belgium and France teams line up prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Belgium and France at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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Belgium v France: Kylian Mbappe of France warms up
10 Jul 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: Kylian Mbappe of France warms up prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Belgium and France at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
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Belgium v France: Romelu Lukaku of Belgium warms up
10 Jul 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: Romelu Lukaku of Belgium warms up prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Belgium and France at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
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Belgium v France: French President Emmanuel Macron waves to the fans
10 Jul 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: French President Emmanuel Macron waves to the fans prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Belgium and France at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
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Belgium v France: Vincent Kompany of Belgium arrives at Saint Petersburg Stadium
10 Jul 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: Vincent Kompany of Belgium arrives at the stadium prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Belgium and France at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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Belgium v France: Kylian Mbappe of France arrives at Saint Petersburg Stadium
10 Jul 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: Kylian Mbappe of France arrives at the stadium prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Belgium and France at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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Belgium v France: Eden Hazard of Belgium looks on
10 Jul 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: Eden Hazard of Belgium looks on during a pitch inspection prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Belgium and France at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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Belgium v France: Michy Batshuayi of Belgium speaks with Benjamin Mendy of France
10 Jul 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: Michy Batshuayi of Belgium speaks with Benjamin Mendy of France during a pitch inspection prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Belgium and France at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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Belgium v France: Kevin de Bruyne of Belgium arrives at Saint Petersburg Stadium
10 Jul 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: Kevin De Bruyne of Belgium arrives at the stadium prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Belgium and France at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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Belgium v France: Semi Final - FIFA Fan Festival
10 Jul 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: A general view during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Belgium and France at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Claudio Villa - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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Belgium v France: Paul Pogba, Djibril Sidibe and Corentin Tolisso celebrate
10 Jul 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: Paul Pogba of France, Djibril Sidibe of France and Corentin Tolisso of France celebrate following their sides victory in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Belgium and France at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
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Belgium v France: Corentin Tolisso of France celebrates following his side's victory
10 Jul 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: Corentin Tolisso of France celebrates following his sides victory in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Belgium and France at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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Belgium v France: France players celebrate victory
10 Jul 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: France players celebrate victory following the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Belgium and France at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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Belgium v France: Paul Pogba of France celebrates
10 Jul 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: Paul Pogba of France celebrates following his sides victory in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Belgium and France at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
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Belgium v France: Kevin de Bruyne of Belgium waves to fans with his son
10 Jul 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: Kevin De Bruyne of Belgium celebrates with his son following his sides victory in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Belgium and France at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
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Belgium v France: Benjamin Mendy and Ngolo Kante of France celebrate
10 Jul 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: Benjamin Mendy and Ngolo Kante of France celebrate following their sides victory in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Belgium and France at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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Budweiser Man of the Match
The difference up front and rock solid at the back, Samuel Umtiti played the pivotal role in sending France into the Final.
The stat
11 - No coach has ever taken charge of more France games at the World Cup than Didier Deschamps. Having moved beyond Raymond Domenech and Michel Hidalgo on Tuesday, he will extend that record even further on Sunday.
What’s next
France v England/Croatia, Final, 15 July, Moscow
Belgium v England/Croatia, Match for Third Place, 14 July, Saint Petersburg
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