ST. PETERSBURG, Russia -- Three thoughts from the first World Cup semifinal as France frustrated Belgium on their way to a 1-0 victory.
1. Umtiti heads France into World Cup final
France are through to the World Cup final and stand on the verge of a first title since 1998. Didier Deschamps' side deserved this narrow victory over a Belgium team that began well but ran out of ideas and rarely looked close to equalising Samuel Umtiti's 50th-minute goal. Les Bleus will face England or Croatia at the Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday and having navigated a tough route through the knock-out stages, they'll feel confident of finishing the job now.