World Cup 2018 – France Beat Belgium 1 - 0 to Qualify For Finals

It was a fascinating first half and all that was missing was a goal but one came soon after the break. Although Belgium took early control of midfield with France content to sit deep and eliminate the threat of counter-attacks Hazard and De Bruyne.

But in this enthralling, albeit highly tactical rather than incident-packed match, it was once again a set-piece that proved decisive with Umtiti’s near-post header beating Marouane Fellaini from an Antoine Griezmann corner settling matters.

France reached the World Cup final, after that second-half Griezmann’s corner header from Samuel Umtiti which gave them a 1-0 win against Belgium.

Belgium enjoyed large amounts of possession but Umtiti’s goal in the 51st minute from a corner ultimately proved the difference as 1998 champions France reached their third World Cup final.

Didier Deschamps’ side will face England or Croatia in Moscow on Sunday as the French look to lift the trophy for the second time following their triumph on home soil in 1998.

Having gained the lead, France showed the defensive nous to nullify the threat from Belgium’s Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne, closing out the game for a win that sent them to their second straight major tournament final, following their loss to Portugal in Euro 2016.

It had been suggested that France needed to step up a level in quality if they were to get past the Belgians and they did just that.

But the worrying factor for whoever wins Wednesday’s game in Moscow is that France still looks to have another gear to move into.

Deschamps, coach at Euro 2016 and captain of the 1998 World Cup winners, suggested as much.

“We showed character and mentality, it was very hard for us tonight. We worked hard defensively, we needed to take advantage a bit more in the counter-attacks but congratulations to my players and my staff,” he said.

Photo taken with slow shutter speed France's Kylian Mbappe runs with the ball during

Belgium manager Roberto Martinez was left frustrated by his team missing out to a set-piece goal, a familiar outcome in this tournament.

“Unfortunately for us, the difference was a dead-ball situation. The game was very close, very tight and it was going to be decided by a little bit of luck in front of goal,” he said.