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Buda Mendes / Getty Images
France and Belgium became the first two teams to reserve their places in the semi-finals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup on Friday, with two other matches Les Bleus beat Uruguay 2-0, while Belgium held up for a historic 2-1 win over Brazil.
Sweden and England will open Saturday's proceedings before Russian hosts face Croatia. [19659004]
Blues in excess for La Celeste (France 2-0 Uruguay)
Uruguay – without star Edinson Cavani – has never found his place in the defeat of Friday against France, losing some opportunities but even winning
Raphael Varane and Antoine Griezmann took care of the score for Les Bleus, although the latter was helped by goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, who took the time to make a mistake.
Here is a preview of the second. goal (for American viewers only):
FOX Sports @ FOXSports
Welp.
Muslera fails to save a shot from Griezmann, while France doubles his lead over a screamer. #URUFRA https://t.co/tG10FMO9WE
ITV Football shared the climax for British viewers:
ITV Football @ itvfootball
GOAL! The Griezmann effort of reach is searched by Muslera and the ball curls in the Uruguay net! https://t.co/0vgZyB99YE
By this point, Varane had already opened the scoring with a smart header, and the two-goal pad was enough for Les Bleus. Cavani not being there to open spaces with his movement, Uruguay was almost toothless in attack, despite Luis Suarez's efforts.
Sam Tighe of Per Bleacher Report, Paul Pogba has yet another performance:
Sam Tighe [19659012] @ stighefootball
FT: #URU 0-2 #FRA. A step too far for Uruguay without Cavani. Suarez playing the roles of two players up there made it effective at neither. On the other hand, the last thing they need in this scenario is a Muslera error. Another good game at the #WorldCup of Pogba. Laxalt vs. Mbappe Was Fun
France is arguably the most complete team of the tournament and hopes to have the chance to go to the end. On paper, their toughest challenge comes next, with the four teams on the other side of the standings all considered inferior to Belgium.
The Red Devils Eliminate Five-Time Champions (Belgium 2-1 Brazil)
Belgium tied their best World Cup result on Friday by reaching the semi-finals with a 2 – Fernandinho opened the scoring for the Red Devils, beating his own goalkeeper with an unhappy header.
Here is a look at this objective (for US viewers only): [19659011] FOX Soccer @ FOXSoccer
"The goal against his side" shows up in the quarter-finals to give priority to Belgium! The Selecao had its chances but struggled for efficiency, and they were caught on the counter later in the half, Romelu Lukaku establishing Kevin De Bruyne for a second goal. [19659004AftertheendoftheperiodwasalmostentirelyfortheBresilianstheBelges-ledbyaphenomenalMarouaneFellainiet liberating prints of Eden Hazard – remained firm. It is only when Renato Augusto put his head on a superb center that Thibaut Courtois was finally beaten.
The Chelsea man was only beaten one time and imposed himself in the last moments with the best hope of the tournament (for US viewers only): [19659009] FOX Soccer @ FOXSoccer
Thibaut Courtois saved the day for Belgium in stoppage time. B https://t.co/IwJyNkOBAH
Belgium and France did not have not faced since 2015, when the first beat the last 4-3 in Paris. Neutral fans will definitely hope to get a similar score this time around.
