If you wanted a big, big name to be playing in the semifinals of this edition of the World Cup, now you have it. France are into the semifinals after beating Uruguay 2-0 thanks to goals from Raphael Varane and Antoine Griezmann.
In a game where both teams tested each other relentlessly, France went through on the back of a well carried out set-piece routine and a touch of good fortune. After Varane put France ahead in the 40th minute with a fine header, Uruguay looked set for a fightback. But their resurgence was short lived as a howler from experienced goalkeeper Muslera cost them a second goal and put the game beyond doubt.
3 There was more purpose about France’s passing
With a lineup as star-studded as France’s, they took their sweet time in fully transforming into a cohesive unit. Today, there was more purpose in their adventures. Kante, Mbappe and Tolisso were keeping things ticking in midfield against a dogged Uruguayan side.
The little flicks and tricks were coming off and France looked more and more like the side they ought to be even though they didn’t make it count in the final third. Pogba and Tolisso were spreading the play, Kante was being Kante and Hernandez and Pavard were bombing forward at every opportunity.
Griezmann was looking more comfortable on the ball and Mbappe’s menacing runs afforded the midfielders more direct options going forward.
2 Hugo Lloris shines for France unlike his Uruguayan counterpart
Big matches are often decided by mistakes. And today, it was Fernando Muslera’s turn to be the villain for his side. He misread the trajectory of Griezmann’s shot in the 61st minute and his faint swipe only delayed the ball’s entry into the net.
The howler came at a time when Uruguay were battling hard to equalise. As soon as the second goal went in, the players looked deflated and they failed to proffer anything of note going forward subsequently.
1 France capitalised on set-pieces
There’s not much to be said here. With the likes of Pogba, Giroud, Varane, Umtiti available to attack set-pieces, France were always likely to be lethal from set-plays. When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
It was pretty stuffy in the middle till France won a freekick on their right side. Griezmann checked his run before delivering the ball, allowing Raphael Varane to emerge on his near side unmarked and the latter met the ball right before Stuani could head it clear and gave France the lead.
Uruguay have Diego Godin and Jimenez and winning aerial duels against the duo is no mean feat. On your worst days, you gotta stick to your strengths and France capitalised on one of the golden opportunities that came their way while Uruguay simply didn’t.