France are through to the FIFA World Cup semi finals after a comfortable 2-0 win over Uruguay.
Goals from Raphael Varane and Antoine Griezmann, either side of half time, gave France a dominant win over Uruguay. Premier League stars N’Golo Kante, Hugo Lloris and Paul Pogba were all on form for Les Blues.
France were not at their best but they didn’t need to be, as Uruguay failed to cause them too many problems.
Raphael Varane’s superb header gave them the lead in the 40th minute, before Antoine Griemzann’s shot was palmed into the back of the net by Fernando Muslera.
France managed the game really well and will now face either Brazil or Belgium in the semi finals of the FIFA World Cup. So let us take a look at how the France players fared in their 2-0 win over Uruguay.
Hugo Lloris (7/10)
Lloris made a spectacular save late in the first half to prevent Martin Caceres and Uruguay from getting an equaliser, just minutes after France took the lead.
Didn’t have much to do in the second half as Uruguay failed to get a shot on target. It was yet another confident display by the France captain, who was ready whenever called upon and helped France keep their third clean sheet in five games at the World Cup finals.
Benjamin Pavard (7/10)
There were no spectacular goals from Pavard this time, but the Stuttgart man had another solid game at right back. Pavard was a constant threat going forward from his right back position, and linked up well with Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe on the right flank.
He did get caught out defensively at times but all in all it was yet another impressive display by Pavard.
The 22 year old had the most touches (100) in the game and won an impressive 90% of his aerial duels. Pavard also won back possession six times and made five clearances.
Benjamin Pavard has seen his stock rise at the World Cup, and his performance against Uruguay further proved just why he is so highly rated across Europe.
Raphael Varane (7/10)
Varane’s glancing header gave France the lead on the stroke of half time. It was a terrific header from 11 yards by the Real Madrid defender, who timed his run expertly to beat his markers and get on the end of Antoine Griezmann’s free kick.
Varane put in yet another dominating performance in defense and did not give Luis Suarez a sniff throughout the game. The 25 year old showed his composure and maturity as he led the defense expertly and by example.
Samuel Umtiti (6/10)
Umtiti made it very hard for the Uruguay attackers to cause France any problems with his strength and physicality. Made a total of eight clearances, which is more than anyone else on the pitch. But he was also sloppy at times, especially when he looked to start attacks from the back.
Overall though, it was a decent performance by the Barcelona defender who has gone from strength to strength since getting the nod for France in Euro 2016.
Lucas Hernandez (6/10)
Hernandez looked to get forward regularly but failed to cause any problems to the Uruguay defense. His final ball often lacked quality and Uruguay often caused France trouble on his flank. The Atletico Madrid left back often looked nervous and got booked for his challenge on Christian Stuani in the first half.