France through to World Cup final after crushing the dreams of Belgium's golden generation

Samuel Umtiti fired France into the World Cup final and crushed the hopes of Belgium’s golden generation on Tuesday night.

Les Bleus will fight either England or Croatia for the crown in Moscow on July 15 after overcoming a stubborn Red Devils 1-0 in St Petersburg.

Umtiti’s towering header was enough to give France coach Didier Deschamps the chance to get his hands on the trophy he lifted as captain 20 years ago.

All of the pre-match talk was about Eden Hazard and Kylian Mbappe and they didn’t disappoint as they put on dazzling displays.

Both sides had chances and the two keepers were also grabbing a share of the limelight with some smart stops in the opening 45 minutes.

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Hugo Lloris was at full stretch to turn Toby Alderweireld’s effort around the post before Thibaut Courtois spread himself to deny Benjamin Pavard.

Olivier Giroud really should have sent France in ahead at the break but he couldn’t make good contact with Mbappe’s delivery to see the score remain deadlocked at the interval.

However, France did find a way through shortly after the restart when Umtiti rose highest beat Marouane Fellaini to the ball and powered it past Courtois.

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France were playing sexy football now and Mbappe was at the heart of everything, playing in Giroud for another glorious chance to extend their lead.

But they needn’t have worried as Belgium couldn’t find a way through as the French kept their shape to stay on course to claim their second World Cup– two decades after the first.

They will play England or Croatia at the Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday.

What do England and Croatia have to fear?

It is churlish to say not much – yet England can hurt France if they join their near neighbours in the final in Moscow. Les Bleus have defensive inadequacies, particularly down their left flank, and Kieran Trippier may be able to excel.

Blaise Matuidi is more comfortable man-marking than pressing the ball and left-back Lucas Hernandes dropped too deep and received little help from Paul Pogba in pressing the ball against Belgium.

Getting the ball into the box quickly, rather than with patience, may be the key for England, as France looked far from assured at times. They do have decent shape, yet they also play far too deep at times.

However, Tripper and Kyle Walker will have to be watchful. Antoine Griezmann may not be the quickest, but his awareness, first touch and ability to move the ball is on a par with anyone. He also has a lethal left foot, as he showed when winning the Golden Boot at the 2016 European Championships.

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Griezmann will drop deep at times and it will be important that Walker keeps his concentration. The striker creates space for others when he does this, yet Harry Maguire should be able to keep the so-far ineffective Giroud quiet.

Whether they can shackle Mbappe is a different story entirely. It is not so much his pace – which is blistering – but his awareness to pick a pass that can stick a dagger to the heart. Pogba appears to have a telepathic awareness when Mbappe streaks forward and John Stones is going to be key if England are to bring it home.

It is worth noting England have conceded only 52 fouls in the tournament, at least 20 fewer than the other three semi-finalists Should they make it to their first World Cup final in 52 years, arguably the biggest issue the Three Lions should fear is the officiating. Throughout this World Cup it has been weak. And, at times, woeful.

Several times in the first semi-final, it was clear that either nerves got to Andreas Cunha or there has been a FIFA directive to keep cards in the pocket. Belgium’s Dembele should have seen yellow at least twice in the first half – the second time for a blatant haul back of Pogba – but went unpunished.

Harry Kane has been man-handled and received a nasty whack in the ribs against Sweden. He needs to be protected from an athletic, if not particularly aware, defence. It may be that Marcus Rashford’s pace, rather than Dele Alli’s guile, may have better joy against the French full-backs.

How can Gareth Southgate stop France if England make it to the final?

Against Belgium, France were content to sit back and hit Belgium on the break and the game-plan worked perfectly. Les Bleus defended deep, had men back and plugged all the gaps in the middle of the field, forcing the Red Devils out wide.

England however should be hoping to hit France on the break.

It’s the old cliche, but if England are to get past Croatia on Wednesday and make the final, pace and width will be crucial to lifting the trophy.

Key will be getting wingbacks Trippier and Young – the Three Lions’ best creative outlets this tournament – in behind the French fullbacks and hope they can cause an overload in the French box with the likes of Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Alli and Jesse Lingard.

Southgate doesn’t need to make radical changes. England just need to play to the strengths that has got them this far in the tournament despite their low expectations.

Stick with the proven stars from previous matches and try to focus on set-pieces – but that’s only if Croatia don’t spoil the party on Wednesday night.

Opta match facts for France 1-0 Belgium

France have reached their third World Cup final, also doing so in 1998 and 2006. Only Germany (8) and Italy (6) have reached more among European nations.

Since reaching their first in 1998, France have now reached more World Cup finals than any other nation (3).

This was Belgium’s first defeat of any kind since a friendly defeat against Spain in September 2016.

France have beaten Belgium three times in World Cup matches, more than they’ve beaten any other side in the competition.

44% of the goals at the 2018 World Cup have come from set piece situations (69/158, including penalties).

Despite having almost two-thirds of the possession in this match (64%), Belgium attempted just nine shots – 10 fewer than France managed (19).

Antoine Griezmann has been directly involved in 20 goals in his last 20 competitive games for France (12 goals, 8 assists).

Antoine Griezmann has been directly involved in 13 of France’s last 20 goals scored in major tournaments (World Cup and EUROs), with nine goals and four assists.

Only England’s Harry Kane (6 goals) has been involved in more goals at the 2018 World Cup than France’s Antoine Griezmann (5 – 3 goals, 2 assists).

France’s Olivier Giroud has had 13 shots in the 2018 World Cup, but none have been on target. Since 1966, no player has had more attempts in a single tournament without getting one on target.