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The French team joined the World Cup final for the third time in its history by dominating Belgium (1-0) on a Samuel Umtiti goal. The Blues will target a second star Sunday against England or Croatia.
She was there, she held out her arms. The Blues grabbed her with both hands. Sunday, they will play the final of the World Cup! For the third time in its history, after 1998 and 2006, the Team of France will have this immense chance. Twenty years after raising the trophy at home, it is in Moscow that Didier Deschamps and his players will try to get the grail. It will be against England or Croatia. But before you think about it, you have to savor it. Because their victory against Belgium (1-0), this Tuesday, has been hard won. The Red Devils had not lost in 24 games. We feared their attack, but it was the French defense that had the last word …
But the first goal was not slow to arrive after the break. On a corner of Griezmann, Umtiti sprang to the first post, to overtake Fellaini's head and deceive Courtois (51). Until then very tactical, despite a plethora of frank situations on both sides, the match was finally launched. Mbappé continued to feast, but Giroud did not benefit (56th). Fellaini could have redeemed himself but his head did not find the frame (65th). In a cozy atmosphere, far from being at the height of a semi-final World Cup, the actors ended up lifting the 64,286 spectators, including President Emmanuel Macron, surrender shot for blow. The tension also went up a notch in the last twenty minutes, as the clock ticked. But with the exception of a shot by Witsel boxed by Lloris (81), the Red Devils, who did not let go the ball, did not know what to do. Griezmann (90 + 2) and Tolisso (90 + 5) could have relieved everyone. What does it matter, at the final whistle, the big egg was all the more beautiful.
A defense of iron
How many centers have they rejected? How many hot balloons did they clear? The Blues have been body for 90 minutes to not give in to the best attack of the tournament. After a difficult first period, in the face of rhythm changes led by Hazard in particular, they tightened their block in second and no longer left any space to extinguish the Belgian captain. Locked in the pincers, Lukaku was nonexistent. And even after the entrance of Mertens on the end, the tricolor rearguard has adapted, not to be worried. Imperial in his cage, Lloris was able to count on a central axis Varane-Umtiti impressive strength. In six games played, the French team finished four without taking a goal.
That said … It says … It says …
Didier Deschamps, coach of the Blues: "Something exceptional!"
"It's something exceptional. I am very happy for my players. They are young, but they showed character, mentality. It was hard, the goal was good. It is a defender who marks it. We worked a lot defensively, and I think we could have put one more against the end of the game. Hat to my players and to all of my staff. That's a lot of pride, compared to my group. "
Samuel Umtiti, Scorer and Man of the Match:" There were 11 dogs on the field "
" We did the job all together It's true that it's me who scored this goal but during the whole match, we defended well together, we made all the efforts together, and we are rewarded by this place in the final. We did the job, we tore up, there were 11 dogs on the ground, those who came back too, and it is with this state of mind that we will win. It's true it's crazy. I used to stay in the middle of the field, and a few weeks ago, looking at my games and the set pieces, I decided to either go to the first post or wait for the second and it paid off tonight. We do not realize too much, but we know we are doing something big. There is still a match for it to be very, very big. We will do everything to win this competition. "
With lequipe.fr
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