FRANCE 2 URUGUAY 0 (Nizhny Novgorod)
France became the first to qualify to the 2018 FIFA World Cup semifinals after defeating Uruguay 2-0.
Both nations entered the match with immense energy, sparking several possibilities for a goal early on. Towards the later part of the first 45 minutes, Uruguay began to edge out France in possession, generating threatening opportunities in the opposition half. Despite control, however, Uruguay foolishly gave away a free kick from a dangerous position in the 41st minute, handing France the chance to lead. Antoine Griezmann approached the spot, and, with a stuttering run, fired the shot into the penalty area to find Raphael Varane, who headed the ball into the net.
After the halftime, Uruguay returned to the pitch with a strengthened offensive mentality, attempting 11 shots and four on goal, but failed to find the equalizer. Then, in the 61st minute, Griezmann found Paul Pogba’s pass, and fired the shot into Fernando Muslera’s arms. Supporters watched in disbelief as the Uruguayan goalkeeper failed to keep a tight grasp of the ball, dropping it over the line to double France’s lead. The Latin American side upheld their intensity after the goal, but their efforts were not enough to avoid elimination.
BELGIUM 2 BRAZIL 1 (Kazan)
Belgium will face France in the World Cup semifinals after eliminating Brazil in a 2-1 triumph. The action began immediately as both nations created a dynamic and offensive tempo, racing back and forth from one penalty area to another.
In the 13th minute, Belgium earned a corner, allowing Eden Hazard to cross the ball to the near post, where Fernandinho mistakenly deflected the shot into the net for an own goal. Belgium reacted to the score by increasing their intensity and pressure, aiming to find another. Not 20 minutes later, Romelu Lukaku found Fellaini’s rebound, and sprinted towards the box, finding De Bruyne, who easily launched a stunning strike into the bottom left corner to double the lead.
Brazil did not back down, weaving their way into the penalty area but falling short when finishing. Then, in the 76th minute, Phillipe Coutinho spotted an unmarked Renato Augusto, delivering a perfectly curled pass to facilitate Brazil’s number 18 to head the ball into the goal. Though the last minutes of the match saw a determined Brazil looking to find the equalizer, they simply could not overcome Belgium’s overwhelming defensive presence.
