France a Head Better Than Belgium, Advance to World Cup Final

So much has been made -- and rightly so -- of the golden generation glistening in Russia.

Less notice has been given to the fact that Les Bleus have sent their youngest-ever side to this World Cup.

Both France and England squads have an average age of 26 years old.

It's shown in the early going.

 

With Samuel Umtiti as an improbable hero, the French managed to shut down Belgium to the tune of 1-0 and secure their place in the final.

Any hope of fireworks in this match was dashed in favor of a tactical exercise where both sides squeezed virtually all the space outta the pitch.

If it wasn't for an excellent save from Hugo Lloris and one key deflection on an Eden Hazard rocket, the game's early story could've been a little bit different.

 

Toby Alderweireld and Romelu Lukaku had close-range finishes, as well.

France's first half featured a strong shot from Benjamin Pavard:

 

The second half found Belgium trying to carry the play, but Les Bleus continued to close down their finishing moves.

Then, Olivier Giroud capped a sudden threat that would bear fruit a moment later:

 

It was the 51st minute, and Antoine Griezmann's resultant corner went straight to Umtiti's head. Dude was open because of a terrible mistake in judgment by Marouane Fellaini, who was in the lineup to add Red Devil air superiority.

No chance for Thibaut Courtois:

 

Kylian Mbappé added a late thrill by putting his best foot backward:

 

 

When Belgium did weave their way through the French defense, Lloris was there to protect their lead:

 

Raphael Varane had a great game, steadying the backs throughout to secure a spot in the title game for Didier Deschamps' men after a 12-year absence.

It'll be their third final ever, having won it in 1998 against Brazil and losing in 2006 against Italy.

As for the Belgians, Roberto Martínez & Co are stuck hanging around for the World Cup match that nobody wants to play: the dreaded consolation game whose only purpose is to hold together another batch of TV ads.

 

Nothing like a lovely parting gift.

Just a part of FIFA's football hell.