France vs Belgium was the among the most highly-anticipated clashes in World Cup history and the first semi-final of the 2018 FIFA World Cup certainly lived up to its billing.
While there weren’t goals galore, as many had predicted, it was a tight and tense affair that eventually saw Les Blues emerge victorious by virtue of a 1-0 scoreline.
With the kind of offensive firepower France had at their disposal, the bets were on Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and even Paul Pogba to score but in the end it was Samuel Umtiti who emerged as the unlikely hero for the 1998 winners.
The centre-back’s 51st-minute header was the difference on the night and here are The Statesman’s player rating from an enthralling fixture at the Saint Petersburg Stadium:
France
Hugo Lloris
Sensational stuff from the skipper.
His first-half saves were massive and were it not for him, Les Blues would have been in trouble early.
Rating: 9/10
Lucas Hernandez
Good outing from the young fullback, right up until Dries Mertens’ introduction.
Struggled to close him down quickly enough and on another day, those crosses would have found their man.
Rating: 7/10
Raphael Varane
Shacked Lukaku fairly well and made a couple of smart tackles to stop the rampaging Eden Hazard in his tracks.
Rating: 7/10
Samuel Umtiti
Wasn’t having a great game and didn’t have a great one eventually, but did manage to score the winner.
Still a weak point in the French backline, but must be doing something right as well as they are in the final.
Rating: 8/10
Benjamin Pavard
Struggled whenever Hazard came on his side, but apart from that did okay.
Should have done better with that chance in the first-half though.
Rating: 7/10
N’Golo Kante
One of those few games when his flashy partner outshone him.
Deserved to get that caution while fouling club mate Hazard.
Rating: 7/10
Paul Pogba
The disciplined outing Jose Mourinho was crying out for the whole of last season.
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Offensively could have done a bit better, but was imperious while protecting his defenders.
Rating: 8/10
Kylian Mbappe
Plenty of skill and flair, this teenager is something special alright.
Troubled the Belgian defence all night and had it not been for his teammates’ profligacy, could have had an assist or two by full time.
Rating: 8/10
Antoine Griezmann
A muted display from the vaunted forward, even though he did notch up another assist with his precise delivery from the corner flag.
Rating: 7/10
Olivier Giroud
Sure, he has his uses, but at this rate he’ll be the most blunt centre forward to win the World Cup.
Rating: 5/10
Substitues
Steven N’Zonzi
Replaced Giroud with five minutes left.
Rating: N/A
Corentin Tolisso
Came on for the injured/exhausted Matuidi in the closing stages.
Rating: N/A
Belgium
Thibaut Courtois
Unlucky to be on the losing side.
Like his counterpart Lloris, singlehandedly kept his nation in the tie.
Rating: 9/10
Toby Alderweireld
Poor passing let the team down at key moments in the tie and invited unnecessary pressure.
Rating: 6/10
Jan Vertonghen
Another defensively solid outing from the classy defender.
Rating: 7/10
Vincent Kompany
Probably Belgium’s best defender on the night.
Made a couple of immense tackles just when France looked ready to score.
Rating: 8/10
Alex Witsel
Not good, but not bad either.
Did okay but could have done better.
Rating: 6/10
Marouane Fellaini
After his heroics against Japan and Brazil, back to earth for the gangly midfielder.
Couldn’t mark Umtiti and his team missed out on their maiden final appearance as a result.
Small margins, yes, but this is the World Cup semi-final so don’t go expecting blowouts.
Rating: 5/10
Mousa Dembele
Defensively did more than the job asked of him, but somehow didn’t give the feeling that he warranted his inclusion.
Rating: 6/10
Nacer Chadli
Awful.
Where was the player who changed the tie against Japan?
Rating: 4/10
Kevin De Bruyne
Passing just wasn’t incisive enough.
Tried his best, as usual, but there were some moments when you expected better from the special talent that is KDB.
Rating: 6/10
Eden Hazard
Belgium’s best outfield player by a country mile.
Dazzled with his nifty footwork as always and while the final product was missing, it wasn’t all his fault as most of his compatriots just weren’t on the same page.
Rating: 7/10
Romelu Lukaku
Poor game from the burly frontman on the night his country needed him the most.
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Why did he check his run when De Bruyne sent that fizzing ball in?
Games like these, not group-stage matches against Tunisia, are when you forge world-class reputations.
Rating: 5/10
Substitues
Dries Mertens
Sent in a few dangerous balls from the right before Hernandez figured out to close him down.
Rating: 7/10
Yannick Carrasco
Came on for the final 10 minutes but struggled to assert his presence on the left flank.
Rating: 5/10
Michy Batshuayi
Was introduced far too late to make an impact.
Highly doubtful if he even touched the ball.
Rating: N/A