France reaches World Cup final with victory over Belgium
ASSOCIATED PRESS
France’s Samuel Umtiti, second from left, is congratulated by his teammates France’s Antoine Griezmann, Raphael Varane and Paul Pogba, from left, after scoring the opening goal during the semifinal match between France and Belgium at the 2018 World Cup in the St. Petersburg Stadium in St. Petersburg, Russia, today.
MOSCOW >> France has reached the World Cup final for the first time since 2006 with a 1-0 win over Belgium in a semifinal match that attracted presidents, royalty and a rock star.
Samuel Umtiti’s header in the 51st minute was the only goal in a tense match at St. Petersburg.
France, the 1998 champions and runners-up in ‘06, will play either Croatia or England in Sunday’s final at Moscow. England and Croatia will meet Wednesday in Moscow in the second semifinal.
France President Emmanuel Macron and King Philippe of Belgium shook hands in the VIP section before the match. Mick Jagger was also on the official list of guests.
