VIDEO + PHOTO The 3rd Final of History! FRANCE kidnaps Belgium and prepares for the conquest of Moscow

Article by – Theodor Halftime Tuesday, July 10

France beat Belgium, 1-0, and is the first finalist of Russia in the world. Samuel Umtiti's only goal was 51 minutes

The Belgians have always looked across the border, hoping to catch up with French football. The Walloon pupils spoke to their neighbors, like the Hazard brothers, by wearing their Zidane t-shirts on their backs and chanting "Allez les Bleus". Zizou was their idol, more than Luc Nilis. They loved the blue "1998 generation", instead of admiring the red national. The "Red Dragons" were rather pale at the time. And they went north of France, choosing to learn the secrets of their favorite sport in Lille, not in Anderlecht

Why not the title?

But time passes, Eden has become a great footballer, in a splendid generation, with a Spanish coach, Roberto Martínez, and a French assistant, Thierry Henry, the French golgeter of all time. Now it was their time, they thought. They were in the semifinals of the world after 32 years. Why would not they play their first final in history? And why not the title?

"The roosters" also wanted a performance, a trophy. Not the assertion because in 2016 it had been a success in the Euro but the confirmation. Griezmann and Pogba, Lloris and Kanté. Plus this irresistible Mbappé, the star of the future.

Blue tactics. Red has the ball

How did Sankt Petersburg's match start, how did the ball go, Mbappé sprinkled like a mustang. For him, there are no limits.

Only France did not throw herself at the opponent like Kylian. He waited. He calmly defended, calculated, squeezing the central area and trying to keep spaces to a minimum. The story but the flash, from a few passages or even one, were in the barrel, all speed, all vertical, on the door . Deschamps bet on surprise, not on possession.

He premeditated the ball from Belgium, who led the match and could open the scoring before the break. Several times: Hazard, still with a subtle agitation, always a step ahead of Pavard, created panic among the blues. The completion failed only. This was not what Titi Henry advised. "Red Dragons" was missing or Lloris was more inspired than them

With Giroud, Limit Victory

At the end of the half-time, the Blues created a huge opportunity, as Mbappé knows and passes intelligently, not just run and shoot. A perfect opening and Pavard remained alone with the rival goalkeeper. Courtois's right foot banned the goal. Only then. He postponed it.

Immediately after the break, he could not avoid the gap. At a corner, Umtiti jumped higher than Fellaini, breaking into the net. 1-0 was exactly what Deschamps wanted. )

When you have Giroud in the lead, which does not score at all in the World, regardless of the opponent, it is difficult to wait longer in half a minute. final of the World Cup. . You ask Lloris to be fit and the great Belgian talents do not come out of your defense network in front of you. What happened

After 12 years, France plays again the final of the World Cup. Twenty years later, Griezmann dreams of imitating Zidane. And win the trophy. And Deschamps can be a world champion as a player and as a coach.

32 goals
scored in this World; the last, Umtiti; in 2002 there were 35 goals

14 players
of the Premier League were last night at the semifinals of St. Petersburg: 4 in the French, 10 in the Belgian

20 years

] 64,286 spectators were present on the arena of St. Petersburg

France – Belgium 1-0

Marked: Umtiti & # 39; 51

The start teams:

France: Lloris, Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Hernandez – Pogba, Kant, Matuidi, Mbappe, Giroud, Griezmann

Courtois – Alderweireld, Kompany, Vertonghen – Chadli, Fellaini, Dembele, Witsel – De Bruyne , Lukaku, Danger
Coach: Roberto Martinez [SanktPetersburg