FIFA World Cup 2018: France 1-0 Belgium | As it happened

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It's France, Yes it is France. They have made their way to the finals of FIFA World Cup 2018after a second-half header from Samuel Umtiti gave them a 1-0 win against Belgium.

Belgium enjoyed large amounts of possession but Umtiti's goal in the 51st minute from a corner ultimately proved the difference as 1998 champions France reached their third World Cup final.

They will meet either Croatia or England in the finalwhich is scheduled to take placeon July 15.

01:27 AM IST

France qualify for the World Cup finals.

90+7' Final whistle!

01:23 AM IST

90+3' Les Bleus got both of their eyes on the clock.

01:21 AM IST

90+1' CHANGE FOR BELGIUM
IN: Michy Batshuayi
OUT: Chadli

01:20 AM IST

90' Ninety minutes are gone by and six extra minutes have been added to the game.

01:17 AM IST

87' N'Golo Kante receives a YELLOW for challenging his club teammate Eden Hazard.

Belgium get a free-kick.

Missed the chance.

01:17 AM IST

87' CHANGE FOR FRANCE
IN: Corentin Tolisso
OUT: Matuidi

01:15 AM IST

85'CHANGE FOR FRANCE
IN: Steven Nzonzi
OUT: Olivier Giroud

01:05 AM IST

80' CHANGE FOR BELGIUM
IN: Carrasco
OUT: Maroaune Fellaini

01:04 AM IST

79' Referee missed a clear foul when he was challenged by Olivier Giroud. It was definitely a card.

01:00 AM IST

75' The Red Devils are trying all their cards. This is their best chance to win the World Cup trophy.

12:56 AM IST

71' YELLOW CARD to another Belgian player Toby Alderweireld, for his challenge on Matuidi.

12:48 AM IST

63' YELLOW CARD to Eden Hazard, who pulls Matuidi to ground.

12:45 AM IST

60' Belgium trailing behind despite having more possession, more shots on goal. In the end, it's just the scoreline that matters.

CHANGE FOR BELGIUM
IN: Dries Mertens
OUT: Mousa Dembele

12:40 AM IST

55' Celebration after the goal.

12:38 AM IST

53' Goal and this happy dance.

12:36 AM IST

FRANCE 1-0 BELGIUM

GOAL 51'

France's defender scores for France.

France strike from the corner. Griezmann fires from the corner and Umtiti, who was standing near the post headed a home. France have an advantage now.

12:30 AM IST

45' The second half starts!

HALF-TIME

STAT

SHOTS:
FRANCE: 11
BELGIUM: 3

SHOTS ON TARGET:
FRANCE: 2
BELGIUM: 1

POSSESSION:
FRANCE: 42%
BELGIUM: 58%

FOULS:
FRANCE: 1
BELGIUM: 7

OFFSIDES:
FRANCE: 0
BELGIUM: 1

CORNERS:
FRANCE: 2
BELGIUM: 4

12:15 AM IST

45' First half is over, just one minute has been added here.

12:14 AM IST

44' France get a free-kick.

Griezmann hit into the wall. Missed opportunity.

12:09 AM IST

39'Benjamin Pavard missed a chance, rather it was a good save byCourtois.

12:06 AM IST

36'Olivier Giroud is down!

He ismoving out of the stadium, It looks like a muscle pull

12:00 AM IST

30' A clear game so far, but the first foul came as the Belgian defender challenges Kylian Mbappe.

France get the corner.

Griezmann missed the chance.

11:55 PM IST

25' Belgium have scored most number of the goals in this World Cup and with the combination of young champs, this Belgium team is considered as the title favourites.

11:50 PM IST

20' Eden hazard with back to back attacks. The first one chance he missed by few inches when he attacked from the left and fired the ball micro-inch above the post.

The second attack was very well saved byLloris.

11:45 PM IST

15' Continous attack by both the teams. This match is all about both the goalkeepers.Thibaut Courtois andHugo Lloris.

11:42 PM IST

12' France found a loophole in Belgium's attack and snatched the ball. Not only snatch, Pogba created a golden chance and passed a grounded shot right in the centre but Kylian Mbappe missed it. Very well anticipated by Thibaut Courtois.

11:40 PM IST

10' Remarkable strategy byRoberto Martinez.N'Golo Kante is following Kevin De Bruyne like a shadow. It seems Pogba will do the same to stopEden Hazard.

11:35 PM IST

05' What a start!

Belgium have startedthe game with a series of attacks. This game is going to next level.

11:30 PM IST

00' The battle begins!

France in blue, Belgium in red.

11:25 PM IST

Confirmed Squad:

Belgium: Thibaut Courtois; Vincent Kompany, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen; Axel Witsel; Nacer Chadli, Mousa Dembele, Maroaune Fellaini, Kevin De Bruyne; Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard.

France: Hugo Lloris; Benjamin Pavard, Raphael Varane, Samuel Umtiti, Lucas Hernandez; N'Golo Kante, Paul Pogba; Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, Blaise Matuidi; Olivier Giroud.

11:20 PM IST

Both the teams are coming out of thetunnel. It's time for the national anthem.

11:15 PM IST

11:10 PM IST

11:00 PM IST

Just a few moments away!

10:45 PM IST

One team, One Dream!

It will be only the second semi-final appearance for Belgium, but for France, it is a sixth. It is the time to make most out of it.

10:45 PM IST

What are they up to?

10:40 PM IST

Teams have arrived at the Saint Petersburg's Krestovsky Stadium.

10:30 PM IST

Here is the formation for today's match.

10:30 PM IST

Who will win tonight?

France or Belgium?

Comment here:

10:15 PM IST

Here is the confirmed squad list:

10:00PM IST

The line-up and formation of Belgium for today's match

09:50PM IST

09:40PM IST

France won the World Cup when they hosted the 1998 finals, beating Croatia in the semi-final 2-1 with both goals from defender Lilian Thuram, but they had big defender Laurent Blanc sent off, meaning he missed the final win over Brazil.

Current coach Didier Deschamps captained France that year as they lifted the trophy for the first time. He is now seeking to return to the final as he chases the double of winning the World Cup as both a player and a coach.

09:30PM IST

Belgium's only previous semi-final appearance came at the 1986 finals, where Diego Maradona turned on the second half magic and ensured for Argentina a place in the final with both goals in a 2-0 victory.

09:20PM IST

France vs Belgium

Are you ready?

09:10PM IST

Happy faces!

09:08 PM IST

Red Devils are walking hand in hand!

A match is ahead.

09:06 PM IST

Some "Grizzziiiii" dancing before the semi-finals.

09:04 PM IST

France national team is working on speed and balance

Not bad!

09:02 PM IST

What happing atthe Belgiumcamp?

09:00 PM IST

France will meet Belgium at Saint Petersburg's Krestovsky Stadium to book a World Cup finale berth. On their way to semis, both the teams have outclassed teams like Argentina and Brazil. This is Belgium's second appearance at the football World Cup semis but for France, it is sixth.