2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ - News - Clinical Bleus end Uruguay’s dream
France won through to the World Cup semi-finals for the first time in 12 years after seeing off a combative Uruguay side that struggled in the absence of the injured Edinson Cavani. Los Charrúas made a strong start all the same, with Cavani’s replacement Cristhian Stuani shooting across the face of goal. At the back, meanwhile, La Celeste were their usual organised selves, giving away no space whatsoever.
Seeing more of the ball, France put some good moves together only to struggle in the box, where the Uruguayans were quick to snuff out any danger. Ironically, France’s opener came from a set-piece, habitually one of La Celeste’s strengths, with Raphael Varane glancing a header home from Antoine Griezmann’s pinpoint delivery. The Uruguayans would have equalised on the stroke of half-time but for a miraculous stop from Hugo Lloris, who dived full-length to claw away a Martin Caceres header.
In a bid to turn the game around, Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez rang the changes in the second half, sending on Maxi Lopez and Cristian Rodriguez. Their Russia 2018 hopes came to an end, however, when a Griezmann shot deceived Fernando Muslera and slipped through the keeper’s hands and over the line.
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Uruguay v France: Antoine Griezmann of France scores
06 Jul 2018
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, RUSSIA - JULY 06: Antoine Griezmann of France scores with team mates his team's second goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Uruguay and France at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on July 6, 2018 in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
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Uruguay v France: Fernando Muslera of Uruguay looks dejected as Antoine Griezmann
06 Jul 2018
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, RUSSIA - JULY 06: Fernando Muslera of Uruguay looks dejected as Antoine Griezmann of France celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's second goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Uruguay and France at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on July 6, 2018 in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
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Uruguay v France: Fernando Muslera of Uruguay fumbles
06 Jul 2018
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, RUSSIA - JULY 06: Fernando Muslera of Uruguay fumbles the ball as Antoine Griezmann of France scores his team's second goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Uruguay and France at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on July 6, 2018 in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
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Uruguay v France: Antoine Griezmann of France scores his sides second goal
06 Jul 2018
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, RUSSIA - JULY 06: Antoine Griezmann of France scores his sides second goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Uruguay and France at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on July 6, 2018 in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
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Uruguay v France: Quarter Final - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
06 Jul 2018
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, RUSSIA - JULY 06: Antoine Griezmann of France celebrates with teammate Kylian Mbappe after scoring his team's second goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Uruguay and France at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on July 6, 2018 in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
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Uruguay v France: Raphael Varane of France celebrates with team mates Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann
06 Jul 2018
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, RUSSIA - JULY 06: Raphael Varane of France celebrates with team mates Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann after scoring his team's first goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Uruguay and France at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on July 6, 2018 in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
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Uruguay v France: Martin Caceres of Uruguay reacts
06 Jul 2018
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, RUSSIA - JULY 06: Martin Caceres of Uruguay reacts during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Uruguay and France at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on July 6, 2018 in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. (Photo by Patrick Smith - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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Uruguay v France: Raphael Varane of France scores his sides first goal past Fernando Muslera
06 Jul 2018
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, RUSSIA - JULY 06: Raphael Varane of France scores his sides first goal past Fernando Muslera of Uruguay during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Uruguay and France at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on July 6, 2018 in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. (Photo by Jamie Squire - FIFA via Getty Images)
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Uruguay v France: Paul Pogba of France is challenged by Luis Suarez of Uruguay
06 Jul 2018
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, RUSSIA - JULY 06: Paul Pogba of France is challenged by Luis Suarez of Uruguay during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Uruguay and France at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on July 6, 2018 in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. (Photo by Jamie Squire - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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Uruguay v France: Rodrigo Bentancur of Uruguay
06 Jul 2018
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, RUSSIA - JULY 06: Rodrigo Bentancur of Uruguay looks dejected after his team concede during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Uruguay and France at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on July 6, 2018 in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
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Uruguay v France: Diego Godin of Uruguay looks dejected
06 Jul 2018
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, RUSSIA - JULY 06: Diego Godin of Uruguay looks dejected as he gathers the ball out the back of the net after his side concede during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Uruguay and France at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on July 6, 2018 in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. (Photo by Jamie Squire - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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Uruguay v France: Matias Vecino of Uruguay reacts
06 Jul 2018
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, RUSSIA - JULY 06: Matias Vecino of Uruguay reacts during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Uruguay and France at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on July 6, 2018 in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. (Photo by Patrick Smith - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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Uruguay v France: Lucas Hernandez of France challenge for the ball with Martin Caceres
06 Jul 2018
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, RUSSIA - JULY 06: Lucas Hernandez of France challenge for the ball with Martin Caceres of Uruguay during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Uruguay and France at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on July 6, 2018 in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
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Uruguay v France: Martin Caceres of Uruguay and Olivier Giroud of France
06 Jul 2018
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, RUSSIA - JULY 06: Martin Caceres of Uruguay and Olivier Giroud of France battle for the ball during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Uruguay and France at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on July 6, 2018 in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
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Uruguay v France: Paul Pogba of France and Cristhian Stuani
06 Jul 2018
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, RUSSIA - JULY 06: Paul Pogba of France and Cristhian Stuani of Uruguay battle for the ball during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Uruguay and France at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on July 6, 2018 in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
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Uruguay v France: Kylian Mbappe of France and Matias Vecino of Uruguay battle
06 Jul 2018
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, RUSSIA - JULY 06: Kylian Mbappe of France and Matias Vecino of Uruguay battle for the ball during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Uruguay and France at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on July 6, 2018 in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
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Uruguay v France: Maximiliano Pereira of Uruguay puts pressure on Paul Pogba
06 Jul 2018
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, RUSSIA - JULY 06: Maximiliano Pereira of Uruguay puts pressure on Paul Pogba of France during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Uruguay and France at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on July 6, 2018 in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
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Uruguay v France: Cristhian Stuani of Uruguay is challenged by Ngolo Kante, Samuel Umtiti and Raphael Varane
06 Jul 2018
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, RUSSIA - JULY 06: Cristhian Stuani of Uruguay is challenged by Ngolo Kante, Samuel Umtiti and Raphael Varane of France during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Uruguay and France at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on July 6, 2018 in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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Uruguay v France: Luis Suarez of Uruguay passes the ball at kick off
06 Jul 2018
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, RUSSIA - JULY 06: Luis Suarez of Uruguay passes the ball at kick off during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Uruguay and France at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on July 6, 2018 in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
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Uruguay v France: France fans enjoy the pre match atmosphere
06 Jul 2018
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, RUSSIA - JULY 06: France fans enjoy the pre match atmosphere prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Uruguay and France at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on July 6, 2018 in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
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Uruguay v France: A Uruguay fan enjoys the pre match
06 Jul 2018
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, RUSSIA - JULY 06: A Uruguay fan enjoys the pre match atmosphere prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Uruguay and France at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on July 6, 2018 in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
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Team reporter analysis
Florencia Simoes, with Uruguay (Follow on Twitter | Facebook)
Having enjoyed a relatively stress-free campaign so far, Uruguay were made to suffer against France. Though Les Blues dominated play, La Celeste still managed to create openings, but could find no way past Lloris, who was on top form. Tabarez reshuffled his midfield in the second half but was unable to alter the course of the game. Though not at their best on a frustrating afternoon, Uruguay can take pride from their campaign.
Adrien Gingold, with France (Follow on Twitter | Facebook)
In terms of intensity, this was a match that lived up to expectations, generating plenty of tension from start to finish. In the end, it all came down to two pairs of hands. While Lloris’ saved France, Muslera’s sealed Uruguay’s defeat. France gave nothing away in defence, denying the Uruguayans space as they battled in vain to get back into the match.
Budweiser Man of the Match
Antoine Griezmann once again showed why he is one of the best strikers in the world. As well as directing operations for his side up front – linking up with his fellow forwards and darting into space time and again – he had a big hand in his side’s two goals, flighting in the measured free-kick from which Varane nodded France in front and then scoring the second with the assistance of the unfortunate Muslera.
The stat
Varane’s goal was the first in the fixture at the World Cup in 279 minutes of play. The last goal in a France-Uruguay World Cup match was scored 52 years ago by La Celeste’s Julio Cesar Cortez in his side’s 2-1 defeat of the French at England 1966. In between came two 0-0 draws between the two nations, in the group phases at Korea/Japan 2002 and South Africa 2010.
What's next
France-Brazil/Belgium, 10 July, Semi-final, Saint Petersburg
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