Uruguay vs France was always going to be cracking match in my opinion, with a battle-hardened and experience South American side facing a young, quick and exciting European side at the stadium in Nizhny Novgorod. Unfortunately Edinson Cavani was missing through injury for Uruguay, after picking up a knock against Portugal and being unable to recover in time. He would be a massive loss.
Uruguay started as we though they would, by sitting in and keeping it tight and they did that very well and there was hardly any chance in the first-half. France then won a free-kick and with a bit of cheeky work from Griezmann, where he delayed the cross and tricked the defenders to allow Varane to make a superb run and nod in a goal. Moments later though, it should have been 1-1 but a truly unbelievable save from Hugo Lloris kept his side in the game. Griezmann then got the winning goal fifteen minutes into the second-half, but it was massive goalkeeping error as he fumbled Griezmann’s shot. France then managed the game and saw out the victory.
Uruguay 0–2 France
Varane Goal 40′
Griezmann Goal 61′
Next fixture for France:
Tuesday July 10th: Semi-Final – France v Belgium – St Petersburg, 7pm
Brazil vs Belgium and five-time winners Brazil headed into their seventh quarter-final on the bounce in a confident mood, however just thirty minutes into the game in Kazan and they were already two goals down. Both sides were expected to go deep into the tournament before it started, some expected these two to possibly meet in the final. Brazil now probably hope that they had as they might have been more prepared for the early onslaught from Kevin De Bruyne and company.
Brazil were favourites coming into the game and with Marcelo back in the line-up after an injury, you could understand why. Brazil started brightly and from the first corner of the game they should have been a goal up very early on, after that though it was all Belgium. Fellaini had a chance first up but after a good save it went for Belgium for their first corner, unlike Brazil, Belgium scored although it was a Brazilian that scored as Fernandinho headed into his own goal. De Bruyne then scored a wonder goal with a terrific strike after some excellent hold-up play and break from Lukaku.
Brazil came back into the game, but it was too late, even with Renato Augusto scoring a header not long after coming off the bench. Neymar and his Brazilian team-mates kept coming but Belgium defended well and got the victory.
Brazil 1–2 Belgium
Renato Augusto Goal 76′
Fernandinho Goal 13′ (o.g.)
De Bruyne Goal 31′
Next fixture for Belgium:
Tuesday July 10th: Semi-Final – France v Belgium – St Petersburg, 7pm
