France/Belgium Post Bits.
Youth was served Tuesday in St. Petersburg, Russia. France; the second youngest team in the tournament, punched their ticket to their third World Cup Final with a 1-0 victory over Belgium. A tight, close game throughout that became a bit physical toward the end. The Belgian Golden Generation bows out two wins short of their goal.
The Belgians controlled possession throughout the first half and French goalkeeper; Hugo Lloris, had to make a fabulous fingertip save about midway through the half. But the French were tallying up the shots and appeared to be a bigger threat to score. France's young phenom; Kylian Mbappe, made a few lightning quick runs through the Belgian defense. Olivier Giroud worked hard but couldn't get a clear connection to the net with several opportunities. He strained his calf right before halftime, but certainly doesn't appear to be in danger of missing the Final. Romelu Lukaku missed a Kevin de Bryne cross in the dying moments of the half.
There wasn't a long wait after halftime for the French to break the ice. Antoine Griezmann's corner kick found the head of Samuel Umtiti, who got past Marouane Fellaini to score in the 51st minute. Fellaini was wreaking havoc in the box through the first half, but Umtiti found a way around the tall Belgian. The French kept applying the pressure with a near miss just minutes after the goal.
As the half went on, it became increasingly apparent that Belgium was running out of ideas to crack the French defense. Eden Hazard made a heroic effort, putting his body on the line. Hazard and Belgium was hard done by a missed penalty call just outside of the box in the 79th minute. Chelsea teammate; Giroud whacked Hazard in the knee. Just a couple of minutes later, Hazard ran into French midfielder; Blaise Matuidi, very hard knocking the Frenchman to the ground. Hazard finally got a free kick call a few minutes later but nothing came from it.
France began to work the clock first with the Hazard hit with Matuidi. He appeared to have a head injury, but returned to the pitch shortly thereafter, only to fall to the ground again. Later, in extra time, Mbappe dribbled the ball knowing full well that it was a Belgian throw in, resulting in a yellow card. All of this didn't matter because the only team that was continuing to threaten was France.
This result has to be as crushing as possible for Belgium. This was their time; their chance to ride into immortality with their golden generation of players. Yet youth was served and France has rearrived. They are light years away from their disaster in South Africa just eight short years ago. The French owe it to their splendid defending. N'Golo Kante and Paul Pogba both put in epic work in this match as Belgium could never solve what the French were doing to them.
The five stars of the match; IMO, are...
5. Eden Hazard
Tried his damnest to get an equalizer.
4. Samuel Umtiti
Scored the lone goal.
3. Paul Pogba
Bottled up the Belgians all night.
2. N'Golo Kante
Same as Pogba. Has had a spectacular tournament.
1. Hugo Lloris
Made three tough saves for his fourth clean sheet of the tournament.
