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ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) – France are back in the World Cup final for the first time since Zinedine Zidane's kick in 2006.
Twelve years after one of football's most infamous moments, Samuel Umtiti took advantage of his header to score a corner in the 51st minute and allow France to impose 1-0 against Belgium on Tuesday in the first European semifinal.
The French danced on the pitch after the final whistle and shook the hand of Thierry Henry, who helped the Blues win the World Cup in 1998, but hoped to eliminate his home country as one of the world's best. badistant coach of Belgium.
France fans sang in the stands long after the end of the game, surrounded by yellow security.
They certainly hope that the party will continue Sunday in the final in Moscow. France will face Croatia or England, which plays Wednesday at the Luzhniki Stadium of the Russian capital.
"Long live France! Long live the Republic!" France striker Antoine Griezmann shouted at the post-match celebrations.
French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris made a superb save in each half, preventing Eden Hazard's powerful Belgian attack, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku from advancing the country to its first grand final. Belgium reached the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup and the European Championship in 2016, but has not yet met its high expectations.
The world can now see France's luxury team, collectively valued at more than $ 1 billion and titrated by teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe, in another grand finale.
Two years ago at home, the French surprised Portugal 1-0 in the match for the title of Euro 2016. In 2006, they were beaten in a penalty shoot-out by L & # 039; Italy in a World Cup final that was overshadowed by Zidane who beat opponent Marco Materazzi in the chest in overtime. Zidane was sent off in what was his last match.
In a tournament dominated by set-set goals, France takes the lead in a corner. Griezmann rolled into the ball from the right and Umtiti was found in front of Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini to score the lead at the far post.
"It's me who scored," Umtiti said, "but we all delivered a big game."
French President Emmanuel Macron reacted to the goal by shaking hands with King Philippe of Belgium while FIFA President Gianni Infantino watched them.
The goal allowed Umtiti to win an impressive match, which helped to ward off the most productive attack of the World Cup with 14 goals, and three defenders have now scored on the road from France to the final. Benjamin Pavard and Raphael Varane have scored in previous matches.
In pursuit of equalization, Belgium repeatedly sent crosses from both wings, but Umtiti and Varane, the two central defenders, used their bodies smartly to repel Fellaini and Lukaku. Varane, in particular, was remarkable.
The coach of France Didier Deschamps was criticized for being too pragmatic and functional despite the presence of many stars in his team, but the organization of the team was superb and Belgium was limited to minor opportunities Lloris.
Deschamps now has the chance to become the third person to win the World Cup as a player and coach after the great Franz Beckenbauer and the Brazilian Mario Zagallo. As captain of France, Deschamps won the most popular football trophy in 1998.
With Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar no longer in Russia, Eden Hazard and Mbappe became the stars of the World Cup and there was a buzz every time they retrieved the ball .
Yet while Hazard – the captain of Belgium – fainted after a sharp 30-minute opening, Mbappe was a constant threat. His first contact took place after 10 seconds and, after receiving the ball on the right wing, he overtook Jan Vertonghen and then Mousa Dembele in a thrilling race.
At 19, Mbappe was not even born when France won the World Cup for the first and only time with a team as diverse as Deschamps leads 20 years later.
Lloris is the captain and he played a key role against Belgium, dipping right in the middle of the first half to catch Toby Alderweireld's shot and pbad Lukaku to replace one of Dries Mertens' many substitutes. crosses.
"Unfortunately for us, the difference is just a dead ball situation, an established game," said Belgian coach Roberto Martinez. "The game was, as you can imagine, very close, very tight, and he was going to be decided (maybe) whoever could find the finishing touch in the surface."
Instead of a trip to Moscow, Belgium will return to St. Petersburg for the match for third place.
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IN THE STANDS
With the French and Gabonese presidents and the King and Queen of Belgium, there were rock kings 'n'. roll watching the game.
Mick Jagger was one of the many famous faces in the stadium stands of St. Petersburg. The singer of the Rolling Stones is a big football fan, having attended the World Cup finals in Brazil in 2014 as well as at many matches in England.
Pamela Anderson, former Baywatch actress, partner of French defender Adil Rami, was also present.
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More AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/WorldCup
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