Varane and Griezmann fire France into semi-finals

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Jul 06, 2018. 18:06

France defeated Uruguay 2-0 in the 2018 FIFA World Cup quarter-final match which was played at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium in Russia on Friday.

The win sees the Blues reach the semi-finals where they will take on either Brazil or Belgium in a semi-final clash on Tuesday, while the Sky Blue are eliminated from the competition.

The match got off to a lively start as the two teams launched attacks in search of an early goal and it was Uruguay, who threatened first.

Diego Godin nodded the ball to Jose Gimenez, who was ready to pounce, but France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris punched the ball away 14 minutes into the game.

The Blues also threatened after some good work by their targetman Olivier Giroud a minute later.

The lanky striker headed the ball back across goal from a cross to Kylian Mbappe, who hurried his header and placed his effort over the bar.

The Blues piled pressure after the half-hour mark and they deservedly broke the deadlock through Raphael Varane in the 40th minute.

Antoine Griezmann played a free-kick which was met by Varane, who glanced the ball beyond Uruguay keeper Fernarndo Muslera to make it 1-0 to France.

The Sky Blue then pushed for the equalizing goal and Martin Caceres forced Lloris to produce a fantastic save - palming the ball away in the 42nd minute.

Uruguay midfielder Nahitan Nandez was also denied by Lloris to ensure that the first-half ended with France leading 1-0 against Uruguay.

Oscar Tabarez, the Uruguay head coach, made a double substitution 14 minutes into the second-half -introducing Christian Rodriguez and Maxi Gomez as the Sky Blues looked to restore parity.

However, Griezmann made it 2-0 to France two minutes later when his swerving shot went straight at Muslera, who tried the ball palm it away and it scuffed off his gloves into the back of the net.

The Sky Blue tried to respond with a goal, but Rodriguez's attempt skimmed the near post and missed the target with Lloris well-beaten.

Uruguay dominated possession in the closing stages of the game as they looked to grab at least two late goals and take the game into extra-time.

France head coach Didier Deschamps decided to pull out Corentin Tolisso and he introduced defensive midfielder Steven Nzonzi as the Blues looked to contain the Sky Blue.

France managed to contain Uruguay in the closing stages of the game and ultimately, the Blues emerged 2-0 winners on the day.

Uruguay (0) 0
France (1) 2 (Varane 40', Griezmann 61')

Uruguay: Muslera, Caceres, Godin, Gimenez, Laxalt, Nandez (Urretaviscaya 73'), Torreira, Bentacur (Rodriguez 59'), Vecino, Suarez, Stuani (Gomez 59').

France: Lloris, Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Hernandez, Pogba, Kante, Mbappe (Dembele 88'), Griezmann (Fekir 90'+2'), Tolisso (Nzonzi 80'), Giroud.