France is back in the World Cup final for the third time in the past six tournaments after a 1-0 victory over Belgium on Tuesday in Saint Petersburg. While there was just one goal in the France vs Belgium highlights, there was incredible action from two of the most entertaining teams in Russia this summer.
France made its first trip to the World Cup final in 1998 as host. Les Bleus returned in 2006 when Zinedine Zidane’s head butt ended their chances against Italy. Now France will play either England or Croatia in the final on Sunday in Moscow.
Both teams racked up numerous attempts on goal, with France making the most of its possession to outshoot Belgium 19-9 despite holding 36 percent of possession. Thibaut Courtois made four saves to keep the Red Devils in it, but France showed how difficult it is to beat.
Les Bleus have now beaten two-time champions Argentina and Uruguay and now the golden generation of Belgium on the way to the final. They could face either one-time champion England or final debutant Croatia in the final.
France vs Belgium Highlights — First Half
The match started with a bit of intensity with Kylian Mbappe going straight at the Belgian defense. The Red Devils then settled in and created the best of the opportunities in the first half. Eden Hazard had two great opportunities, the first going just wide and the second deflected just over the crossbar.
Hugo Lloris then had to make a great diving save to deny Toby Alderweireld in the 22nd minute.
World Class effort by Hugo Lloris
Courtois is also good though.#FRABEL #FRA #BEL #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/ucHwQHbWj9— Droga Happu Singh (@HappuDroga2) July 10, 2018
But the save of the first half was also the best of the France vs Belgium highlights from the first half came from Thibaut Courtois.
The biggest moment of the half came in the 40th minute when Benjamin Pavard was played in by Mbappe only to see Courtois kick his shot away.
#MundialTelemundo ¡Atajada milagrosa! Thibaut Courtois mantiene en cero el arco de #BEL ante #FRA pic.twitter.com/AchFRwXH3R
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) July 10, 2018
The teams went into the halftime break tied 0-0, but it wouldn’t stay that way long.
France vs Belgium Highlights — Second Half
After a scoreless first half, it didn’t take long for France to break through in the second half. Center back Samuel Umtiti beat Marouane Fellaini to a header from a corner kick taken by Antoine Greizmann to nod in the game’s opening goal in the 50th minute.
#MundialTelemundo ¡Por los aires! Se eleva @samumtiti y pone al frente a #FRA sobre #BEL . Así lo narró @AndresCantorGOL pic.twitter.com/kYNX2UAD75
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) July 10, 2018
The goal gave France a bit of added confidence. Soon after, Mbappe made this absurd pass to set up Olivier Giroud, but the Chelsea forward’s shot was blocked by the Chelsea goalkeeper Courtois.
Kylian Mbappe you dog you pic.twitter.com/ZgKvG5hrCo
— The18 (@the18com) July 10, 2018
Poetry pic.twitter.com/Tpxol1zc5o
— The18 (@the18com) July 10, 2018
In the 81st minute, Lloris was again called upon to parry away a rocket of a shot from Axel Witsel. It was as close as Belgium came to equalizing.
After that, it was all France, killing time like champs by taking it to Belgium on the counter.
The final big saves of the match came from Courtois, who denied Griezmann in the 93rd minute and Corentin Tolisso in the 96th minute.
As the France vs Belgium highlights show, Les Bleus deserve their spot in the final. We now await to see who joins them on Sunday in Moscow.
#MundialTelemundo ¡Fiesta total! Así celebraron los jugadores de #FRA su pase a la Final de la Copa del Mundo pic.twitter.com/o6rTEmb809
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) July 10, 2018
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