Uruguay 0-2 France
Following an opening passage high on energy but bereft of quality, Varane glanced home a Griezmann free-kick to open the scoring before the Atletico Madrid man doubled France’s advantage just after the hour mark in a moment to forget for Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.
Griezmann found space 25 yards out and fired in a shot that should have been routine for Muslera but the ball slipped through his grasp and into the net. Oscar Tabarez’s Uruguay, without injured striker Edinson Cavani, never looked like finding a route back into the game and France now await Friday’s late game to see who they will meet in St Petersburg on Tuesday.
Varane’s Clinical Header Gives France 1-0 Lead vs Uruguay. Muslera goes Karius to gift Greizmann long-range goal leads 2-0 against Uruguay. France could be on their way to their last four as Griezmann doubles their lead. The forward is afforded space and time on the edge of the box and he fires at goal. It’s straight at Muslera, but he has a howler, palming the ball straight into his own net. A shocker from the Uruguay keeper.
Brazil 1-2 Belgium
Neymar failed to come up with the goods as Brazil crashed out of the 2018 World Cup at the Quarterfinal stage after being roundly beaten by Belgium at the Kazan Arena on Friday night. Against most expectations, the South Americans were outplayed by a confident Belgian side and they failed to come back from a two-goal first half deficit. Belgium had the better of the opening 45 minutes when Fernandinho who is started for the suspended Casemiro turned Eden Hazard’s corner into his own net for Belgium’s opener. The hard-working Romelu Lukaku broke after a Brazilian corner to set up Kevin De Bruyne for the second of the game, a wonderfully drilled shot past goalkeeper Allison. Brazil managed a few chances of their own, notably Thiago Silva’s miss at the near post off a corner.
Coutinho and Firminho also missed chances as Brazil toiled to come back into contention. A flurry of substitutions from Coach Tite gave the Brazilians a lifeline when substitute Renato Augusto pull a goal back. But that was as good as it got for the five-time champions. The Red Devil’s victory sees them reach the semi-finals for the first time since 1986, and only the second time overall, where they will face 1998 Winners France.