[Archive 2018-07-09] FIFA World Cup 2018 quarterfinals: France, Belgium beat Uruguay, Brazil

Historical archive — originally published 2018-07-09. This report records what was known on that date. It is not current news; subsequent events may have changed the situation. Wikinews closed in May 2026.

On Friday, France defeated Uruguay 2–0 in the FIFA football World Cup quarter-finals and Brazil lost 1–2 against Belgium. With this defeat only countries from the UEFA Confederation are now remaining in the tournament.

France faced Uruguay at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium. The French side had better ball possession. Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani was rested for the match and Luis Suárez faced his FC Barcelona teammate Samuel Umtiti in the quarter-final clash. Both the sides had early attempts to open the scoring. Uruguay blocked N'Golo Kanté's 12th-minute attempt for a goal. Three minutes later, Kylian Mbappé missed a chance from Olivier Giroud's pass to put France in the lead. In the 19th minute, Paul Pogba also had an attempt for goal but went wide. France opened the scoring in the 40th minute when Raphaël Varane scored a header from Antoine Griezmann's assist. Minutes before the half-time, Hugo Lloris saved a shot preventing Uruguay from equalising, and Diego Godín missed a close-range shot. The first half ended with France having a one-goal lead.

In the second half, just after the one-hour mark, Griezmann doubled the lead for France, scoring a goal from outside the penalty area from Corentin Tolisso's assist. In the final ten minutes of the 90-minute play, French side made two substitutions, as Steven N'Zonzi and Ousmane Dembélé replaced Tolisso and Mbappé. The match ended 2–0.

With this victory, UEFA Euro 2016-finalists France reached the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup for the sixth time.

Brazil faced Belgium at the Kazan Arena. After Uruguay's defeat against France, Brazil was the only South American nation left in the tournament. The South Americans had better ball possession. In the 8th minute, Brazilian captain Thiago Silva missed a chance to open the scoring as his header rebounded from the goalpost. Belgian defender Vincent Kompany missed a header in the 13th minute from Nacer Chadli assist, but Fernandinho scored an own goal, giving Belgium an early lead. A couple of minutes later, Gabriel Jesus had an attempt to equalise, from Neymar's assist, but the shot was blocked. Marcelo also attempted for a goal in the 26th minute but was saved.

In the 31st minute, Kevin De Bruyne scored from outside the penalty area, doubling the lead for Belgium, assisted by Romelu Lukaku. Six minutes later, Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saved a long-range shot by Philippe Coutinho. The first half ended and Belgium had a two-goal advantage.

At the start of the second half, Brazil made a substitution as Roberto Firmino replaced Willian. Paulinho had an attempt in the 55th minute. Paulinho was substituted off in the 73rd minute for Renato Augusto and just three minutes after coming on, Augusto scored the first goal for Brazil in the 76th minute. Chadli was subbed off in the 83rd minute due to injury and was replaced by Thomas Vermaelen. Brazil tried to score an equaliser, but the match ended 2–1 as Belgium advanced to the semi-final.

Source and licence

Text adapted from FIFA World Cup 2018 quarterfinals: France, Belgium beat Uruguay, Brazil by Wikinews contributors under CC BY 2.5. Paragraphs have been selected and abridged, and formatting adjusted. Contributor history.