For the second time in four successive World Cups, France is in the final. The semi-final clash with neigbours Belgium was proved to be a tough one yet Didier Deschamps and his men prevailed.
Having ended the first-half in stalemates, 1998 world champions came out in full blaze in the second-half and secured the win with a lone goal. It was Samuel Umtiti who was the unlikely hero as the Barcelona defender was the one who got on the end of Antoine Griezmann's 51st minute corner-kick to seal Les Bleus' victory.
His side now awaits either England or Croatia for the final which will be played at Moscow on July 15. In retrospect, Samuel Umtiti's joined Benjamin Pavard and Raphael Varane as the French defenders to have a goal apiece at Russia 2018. The trio, as a result, matched a similar feat achieved by Lizarazu, Blanc and Thuram in France's triumphant campaign at the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
Is a déjà vu beckoning?
