[Archive 2018-07-13] FIFA World Cup 2018 semifinals: Umtiti scores only goal, France reaches finals beating Belgium

Historical archive — originally published 2018-07-13. 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 Tuesday, France defeated Belgium 1–0 in the FIFA football World Cup semifinals. Samuel Umtiti scored the only goal of the match, and France is to play Croatia in the final.

Belgium had better ball possession in the match. French forward Olivier Giroud faced some of his Chelsea teammates Thibaut Courtois and Eden Hazard. In the 19th minute, Eden Hazard's attempt for the goal was headed away by French defender Raphaël Varane. French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris saved Toby Alderweireld's shot in the 22nd minute. Benjamin Pavard was denied the opening goal by Courtois in the 39th minute. The first half ended goallessly.

In the second half, Romelu Lukaku missed a chance to put Belgium in lead, from Axel Witsel's assist. Olivier Giroud missed a chance in the 51st minute, blocked. Antoine Griezmann took the corner, and French defender Samuel Umtiti scored from a header, giving France the lead. Kylian Mbappé assisted Giroud five minutes later but was blocked.

Belgium made the first substitution at the one-hour mark as Mousa Dembélé was substituted off for Dries Mertens. Hazard was the first player to receive a yellow card in the match, for a bad foul in the 63rd minute. Toby Alderweireld was booked in the 71st minute. Kevin De Bruyne missed a chance to equalise for Belgium in the 76th minute from Hazard's assist. Paul Pogba's 79th-minute shot missed the target.

Belgium used their second substitution in the 80th minute as Marouane Fellaini was replaced by Yannick Carrasco. Lloris stopped Witsel's shot on target in the 81st minute. In the last few minutes of the 90-minute game, French defender Blaise Matuidi was injured and was replaced by Corentin Tolisso. N'Golo Kanté, Mbappé and Jan Vertonghen were booked late in the game. The match ended with France scoring the only goal.

This is the second consecutive final for France in a major tournament. Two years ago, France reached the finals of UEFA Euro 2016, but lost to Portugal in the extra time.

France is now to face Croatia. France has featured in two FIFA World Cup finals to date, winning the 1998 tournament, while losing the 2006 World Cup to Italy.

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