FRANCE BEAT BELGIUM TO CRUISE INTO FINAL AT RUSSIA 2018

ST PETERSBURG, Russia – France this evening defeated Belgium 1-0 in the semi final encounter at the FIFA 2018 World Cup in Russia. But it was not an easy one for France as both teams struggled spiritedly to edge out each other during the encounter.

France dominated the game from the start of the whistle, taking 63 percent of ball possession as against 37 percent recorded by Belgium. Belgium however gained strength in the 10th minutes switching ball possession to 55 percent in its favour while France had just 45 percent.

Belgium intensified the pressure into the 16th minutes recording 63 percent in ball possession against France that had just 37 percent. Belgium maintained the pressure till the 30 minutes with 58 percent ball possession compared to 42 percent recorded by France. That was the trend until the first half ended with no scores on both side.

Belgium continued to maintain ball possession in the second half until the 51st minutes when France took the lead when Samuel Umtiti found the back of the net with a beautiful header from a fantastic shot from Antoine Griezemann to make it 1-0 in favour of France.

Belgium continued to mount pressure increasing ball possession to 63 percent against 37 percent recorded by France but unfortunately, the pressure could not be converted into goals, ending the encounter 1-0 in favour of France who will now meet with the winner of the match between Croatia and England in the final encounter on Sunday. That match between Croatia and England comes up at 7 pm Nigerian time on Wednesday.