'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAb/2gAIAQEAAAAAnVf/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAF/9oACAECEAAAABf/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD/9oACAEDEAAAAD//xAAgEAABBAEEAwAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMEBREABhITMWGS/9oACAEBAAE/AKvbrcGR3Pxq55oOLXwMfOUFvx9AnUaspUxmkvVUXtCAFcGhjPrX/8QAGhEAAQUBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQACAwRBof/aAAgBAgEBPwB12YbwL//EABYRAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAv/aAAgBAwEBPwCmf//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
France defeated Belgium 1-0 in the semi-final of the 2018 FIFA World Cup and reached yet another tournament final in three years, after coming runners up in Euro 2016.
A second-half header from Samuel Umtiti proved to be the only goal and the match-winner as the Belgian Red Devils failed to convert their dominance and break a tight French defence as their 24 match unbeaten streak in international football came to an end.
France will await the winner of the second semi-final game between England and Croatia and meet them on July 15 at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow while Belgium still remains in the tournament and will battle it out for the third/fourth place position a day prior to the final.
Trending
On that note, here are the hits and flops from semi-final 1.
#5 Best - Blaise Matuidi
Blaise Matuidi made a timely comeback to the starting lineup from his suspension and France reaped the rewards. Deployed wide left in an unfamiliar and new role, the midfielder made his influence known on both ends of the pitch.
Despite having a fairly lesser impact going forward, Matuidi did have three attempts at goal that tested Thibaut Courtois and made a couple of key passes in the final third. His crossing was a let-down but he made up for it with his excellent defensive commitment.
Matuidi's tracking back in defence helped cover up for fullback Lucas Hernandez, who got caught out of position at times while making his overlapping runs.
The experienced French international made six successful tackles and three interceptions throughout as well as winning a couple of aerial duels.
Blaise Matuidi's toil and energy helped disrupt Belgium's momentum as many of their passes were getting broken up outside the box and they were forced to restart.
#4 Worst - Olivier Giroud
Olivier Giroud's form will be the biggest concern for manager Didier Deschamps heading into the final. The Chelsea striker has looked off-colour thus far and he has under-delivered in all his appearances this World Cup.
Giroud has been always involved in the attacks but has lacked the finishing product and deprived France of many goals, and the case in the semi-final was the same. The 31 year old had six attempts at goal, none of them were on target and a bulk of them were not even half chances.
He was set up with two exquisite passes by Kylian Mbappe during the second half but he failed to capitalize on any of his opportunities. Giroud dragged his unfortunate streak and has failed to register a single shot on target from the 10 total shots he has attempted in Russia.
His bitter performance saw him being substituted in the 84th minute, bringing an end to his misery. However, it looks highly improbable that Deschamps will take the risk of rotating his lineup for the final and will most likely persist with Giroud up top.
#3 Best - Hugo Lloris
Hugo Lloris has proved himself as one of the best all-time captains of the French national team over the last five years. The veteran goalkeeper led from the front and produced a match winning performance as Belgium was shut down.
Lloris faced a stern test and made 3 saves in total. Pulling off a splendid save to deny Toby Alderweireld's left-footed effort in the first half to keep the game scoreless.
The 31 year old was in the firing range of the Belgian attackers from the start but was helped out by his resolute defense as they received a great deal of direction and organization at the back from their skipper.
Lloris was kept busy, but he responded brilliantly each time and looked ready to stretch his body fully for every challenge that came his way, and played an instrumental role in France securing their ticket for the World Cup final in Moscow.
#2 Worst - Romelu Lukaku
Romelu Lukaku misfiring in a crunch game will appear as no surprise to neutral fans and viewers. The outlandish forward failed to replicate his performance against Brazil and was basically left detached against France as Belgium succumbed to a narrow defeat.
Lukaku's nightmare started right from the onset as he had just one touch in the first 15 minutes and only 22 touches in the entire duration of the game.
The isolation created a huge hole as the Belgian number 9 had just one attempt at goal and similarly, couldn't comply with the service he received as he failed to get on the end of several through passes.
Lukaku was decent aerially but he failed to break the shackles, and his growing frustration set him back as he was tamed by the resolute French defence. Meanwhile, his hold up play also did not make any substantial difference as he was able to complete only a handful of passes around the box.
#1 Best - Samuel Umtiti
Samuel Umtiti's glancing header at the near post off an Antoine Griezmann corner kick was enough for France to ensure a 1-0 win and secure their place in the final of the World Cup in Moscow.
It was a shaky start for the 24 year old when he had some nervy moments in the opening stages of the game. But as the game drew on, Umtiti settled into the game and came up with the goal early in the second half to give his side the advantage and much needed breathing space.
The Barcelona defender was very efficient during the latter stages and made multiple clearances from his box that broke several promising Belgian attacks.
In spite of being unable to complete many successful tackles, Umtiti did not lunge into challenges and played a clean game as he avoided committing unnecessary fouls.
He worked in tandem alongside Raphael Varane and kept Romelu Lukaku locked. Similarly, the duo's brilliant coordination and communication also saw them make a significant contribution to the attacking build-ups with their long-range passing.
