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Uruguay vs France |
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|---|---|---|
2018 FIFA World Cup Quarter Finals |
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| Nizhny Novgorod Stadium | ||
| Uruguay | France | |
| 0 | SCORE | 2 |
| 11 | Shots | 11 |
| 4 | Corners | 3 |
| 2 | Yellow Cards | 2 |
| 0 | Reds Cards | 0 |
France have progressed to the semi finals of the world cup for the first time since 2006, with an emphatic 2-nil victory over a well beaten Uruguay.
Clearly showing the effects of having lost their main marksman Edison Cavani, Uruguay just could not bring the firepower needed to take it to their more fancied European opponents.
A first half header from Raphael Varane gave the French team the lead, though admittedly, Uruguay looked the more dangerous at times in attack during the first half.
However, the game was essentially over as a contest in the 61st minute, when Antione Griezmann took a regulation long range shot on goal that should not have troubled Fernando Muslera in goals for Uruguay. Alas, the keeper fluffed his lines, and tamely batted away the shot, only for it to lob over his head, into the goal, giving the French an ultimately unassailable 2-nil lead.
Uruguay never fully recovered, and France played out the game in a controlled fashion, although a fracas involving Kylian Mbappe and Cristian Rodriguez provided one or two minutes of unsavoury player conduct.
Still, to the victor go the spoils, and in this case, the spoils are that of a semi final spot to France.
Final score
Uruguay 0
France 2
And then there were eight, as two past world champions in Uruguay and France face off in the first quarter final at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of the match from 12am (AEST).
This is the match of the quarter-finals for mine, the two in-form teams of the tournament facing off in what would have been an utterly delightful World Cup final.
Uruguay were all class in their round of 16 clash with a determined, and reigning European champion, Portugal, where ultimately it was a decisive moment taken by a goal-poaching predator that separated the two teams.
Alas, that predator has been rendered lame, as Edison Cavani was all but ruled out of this match fairly early in the piece. The loss of a guaranteed source of goals would be an end-game dagger to any other team.
It is an absolute luxury for the Uruguayans then that they still have the world class “back up” of Luis Suarez to cover for Cavani’s loss. On the back of the defensive giant (however small in stature) that is Lucas Torreira, it is difficult to see how the Uruguayans will be beaten.
Well, it’s is difficult, but not impossible, and if there is a possibility in breaking down Uruguay, anything becomes possible with emerging (if he has not indeed already emerged) teen sensation Kylian Mbappe.
If his two goals against Argentina were not enough to convince any lingering doubts that this kid is the next big thing in world football, nothing will, and while Lucas Torreira was all over Cristiano Ronaldo in the round of 16 clash, it is fair to say that Ronaldo (great as he is) is not what he was.
Mbappe has shown that he has the capabilities and know-how to single-handedly win his country a place in the semi-finals.
Another thing to remember, this France squad is star-studded, so all Mbappe needs is just a little help from the likes of Paul Pogba and Anthoine Griezmann, and France should like their chances. A lot.
France have managed just the one win out of eight confrontations with Uruguay, and these two teams shared a dismal nil-all draw in the 2010 World Cup.
Prediction
I anticipate that France will taste their second win over the South American opponent. I’m basing that on Mbappe following on with his dashing form, and Uruguay’s loss of Cavani. Here’s hoping for a shoot-out.
Uruguay 2 – France 3.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this quarter-final match at the FIFA World Cup from 12am (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
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