France are through to the 2018 FIFA World Cup final, after defeating Belgium 1-0.
It was a much more open game than expected and both sides had spells in the first half where they could have, and perhaps should have scored.
It didn’t take long for someone to find a breakthrough in the second half though.
Samuel Umtiti rose above Marouane Fellaini from the corner and directed his header at the near post past Courtois to give France the lead.
France went on to take full control but failed to find a second.
Belgium rallied late but failed to get one back.
France’s victory means they will take on either England or Croatia in the final.
Full time
France 1
Belgium 0
France and Belgium will be looking to book a place in the 2018 FIFA World Cup final when they clash in Saint Petersburg. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 4am (AEST).
France are coming off a two-nil win over Uruguay in the quarter-finals and it was their most impressive performance in the World Cup thus far.
Raphael Varane and Antoine Griezmann both found the net for the French.
Other than that, all of their other wins have been fairly unconvincing, with the tournament favourites doing just enough to win all of their games.
After scraping past Australia and looking shaky against Peru, they played out a nil-all draw with Denmark.
In the round of 16 they took on a struggling Argentina and despite running rampant agent them in attack still managed to concede three of their own – winning 4-3 in a thrilling encounter.
Manager Didier Deschamps is working with arguably the best squad of the entire World Cup – however aside from the game against Argentina they haven’t really played with the flair expected of them.
Although Kylian Mbappe is quickly establishing himself as the next big thing in football – and the 19-year-old could find himself winning the Golden Ball.
Meanwhile, Belgium look like they could both beat, and be beaten, by anybody.
After a scary round of 16 encounter against Japan which saw them come back from two goals down to win 3-2, they took on Brazil as clear underdogs.
However their key players all stood up for that game and they played Brazil off the park before holding on for a famous 2-1 win.
They were assisted by a bizarre own-goal but Kevin De Bruyne’s pure strike put them up by two shortly after.
Belgium are the only side left in the tournament that have won every game in 90 minutes.
However they’ve also looked susceptible to conceding and if they get complacent or fall asleep at any time against France it will cost them the game.
Romelu Lukaku has been spectacular for the Belgians and will be eager to catch up to Harry Kane in the race for the Golden Boot.
Eden Hazard has been identified as a key threat by the French squad.
France described their shutdown of Lionel Messi in the Argentina game as an example of what they will be looking to do to Hazard.
Prediction
This is one of those games where I can see either team winning and won’t be surprised at the outcome either way. Both sides have incredible individual talent and can play anyone off the park on their day. However, France are the more consistent side and seem to find a way to do just enough to win.
France 1 – 0 Belgium.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 4am (AEST).
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Thanks Issac. Feel gutted tho’ that the Red Devils didn’t score because they had opportunities and the game could have risen above Les Bleus simply parking the bus and playing on the break. Anyway, tomorrow and then the final. Come on Croatia!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Thank you to everyone who joined The Roar for this live blog, we look forward to seeing you all again soon!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
It was a much more open game than everyone expected and both sides had spells in the first half where they could have, and perhaps should have scored. It didn't take long for someone to find a breakthrough in the second half though. Samuel Umtiti rose above Marouane Fellaini from the corner and directed his header at the near post past Courtois to give France the lead. France went on to take full control but failed to find a second. Belgium rallied late but failed to get one back. France enter the 2018 FIFA World Cup final, where they will take on either England or Croatia! Full time France 1 Belgium 0
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+7' - It's full time! FRANCE ARE IN THE WORLD CUP FINAL! FRANCE 1 BELGIUM 0
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+6' - Tolisso has a shot and Courtois saves again! It's a French corner and time is pretty much up. FRANCE 1 BELGIUM 0
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+4' - Vertonghen with an unnecessary challenge on Mbappe sees him gets a yellow. FRANCE 1 BELGIUM 0
lunchboxexpert
Guest
And if the score was reversed the french player matuidi would have bounced straight up, shook himself off and got on with it as best he could while Hazard would have been on the ground writhing in agony with a plethora of medical attendants around him. So predictable. Maybe a new rule could tackle this, injury time should be doubled for the time a player (from the team in front) is down in the final 20min. I bet then players from both teams will get up quickly after a collision.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+4' - Griezmann finds space to shoot but Courtois gets down and saves. France nearly put this one to bed. FRANCE 1 BELGIUM 0
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+3' - Mbappe gets booked for blatant time wasting and nearly starts a fight in the process. FRANCE 1 BELGIUM 0
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+2' - France take a short free kick and win a throw. They want to keep the ball for as long as possible. FRANCE 1 BELGIUM 0
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+1' - Chadli comes off for Batshuayi in a Belgian change. FRANCE 1 BELGIUM 0
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+1' - Pogba wins a foul in a dangerous area. Will France put one into the box or look to keep the ball? FRANCE 1 BELGIUM 0
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+1' - Six minutes of injury time. FRANCE 1 BELGIUM 0
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90' - France are moments away from a final. They can taste it. FRANCE 1 BELGIUM 0
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
89' - De Bruyne's ball into the box narrowly misses the head of Lukaku! Desperate stuff from Belgium. FRANCE 1 BELGIUM 0
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
88' - De Bruyne's ball into the box is eventually cleared. FRANCE 1 BELGIUM 0
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
88' - Carrasco wins a foul and Kane gets a yellow card. FRANCE 1 BELGIUM 0
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
87' - Matuidi comes off for Tolisso. It looks like they had no choice but to make that change, he's taken some knocks. FRANCE 1 BELGIUM 0
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
86' - France are really doing all they can to slow the pace of the game down. FRANCE 1 BELGIUM 0
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
85' - Giroud comes off for N'Zonzi in a French change. Attacker off for defensive midfielder. FRANCE 1 BELGIUM 0