Umtititi scores, France leads 1-0 against Belgium

France have one foot in the World Cup final as Samuel Umtiti heads them ahead in the 51st minute.

France and Belgium went into halftime drawing 0-0 in an entertaining first World Cup semi-final on Tuesday, with both teams creating half chances but neither able to break the deadlock.

Eden Hazard was a lively presence on Belgium's right, dragging a shot wide and Toby Alderweireld forced a smart save from Hugo Lloris while at the other end Olivier Giroud flicked a header narrowly wide.


The winners will play England or Croatia in the final at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday.

France boss Didier Deschamps and Belgium coach Roberto Martinez both made just one change for Tuesday's blockbuster World Cup semi-final between the neighbouring European nations in Saint Petersburg.

Juventus midfielder Blaise Matuidi returned from suspension for France in place of Corentin Tolisso as Deschamps named the same side that beat Argentina 4-3 in the last 16.

Martinez's change was a forced one, with right wing-back Thomas Meunier suspended and could prompt a change in formation. Tottenham's Mousa Dembele, a central midfielder by trade, comes in and could deputise on the flank or see Kevin De Bruyne pushed wide in an attacking set-up from Martinez.

France (4-2-3-1)
Hugo Lloris (capt); Benjamin Pavard, Raphael Varane, Samuel Umtiti, Lucas Hernandez; Paul Pogba, N'Golo Kante; Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, Blaise Matuidi; Olivier Giroud
Coach: Didier Deschamps (FRA)

Belgium (3-4-3)
Thibaut Courtois; Toby Alderweireld, Vincent Kompany, Jan Vertonghen; Mousa Dembele, Marouane Fellaini, Axel Witsel, Nacer Chadli; Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard (capt)
Coach: Roberto Martinez (ESP)


Referee: Andres Cunha (URU)