Belgium surged forward from the first whistle, controlling the game for the first 15 minutes.

Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe combined to remind everyone that France would only need one chance on the counter attack, before Hazard responded with an attacking masterclass of his own.

Despite chances for both sides, the half-time score remained goalless.France began the second half much stronger than they had the first and they showed yet again how dangerous they are from set-pieces, with Umtiti scoring a header from a corner in the 51st minute.

This opened the game up with France creating more chances and despite throwing everything they could at France, Belgium couldn’t produce the equaliser with Les Bleus booking their place in the Final. 

Belgium

Thibaut Coutois - 8

Was only tested a few times in the first half but made crucial saves to stop France taking the lead against the run of play.

Toby Alderweireld- 7

Kept his line with Kompany and remained calm under pressure, preferring easy lateral passes to build up the Belgium attack from the back.

Vincent Kompany- 7

If Belgium played the ball back it ended up at Kompany’s feet and he proved a good option, making the most of any space, taking his time on the ball and moving his team forward.

Jan Vertonghen – 6.5

A quite game from the number five. He did his job well even when faced with the likes of Mbappe and Benjamin Pavard.  

 

 

 

Nacer Chadli- 7

Played along the sideline for most of the game, spreading the French defence and providing a constant option up front.

Kevin De Bruyne - 6

Was always showing up when Belgium needed him, drifting wide but also making the most of any overlapping runs. Didn’t have as big an impact on the game as we’ve come to expect though.

Axel Witsel - 7

Wasn’t afraid to push forward, at times applying direct pressure to the last defender and making it difficult for France to reset.

Marouane Fellaini- 6.5

Belgium’s structure allowed him to push up as a fifth attacking player but he also worked hard to get back so they weren’t left exposed at the back

Mousa Dembele- 5

Seemed out of sorts in midfield, losing the ball in the middle of the park a few times too often. Was lucky not to be booked in the first half with two professional fouls. Replaced in the 59th minute.  

Eden Hazard- 8

Speed and no fear on the ball is a deadly combination in attack as Hazard took on and, most often, got the better of the French defence. He had a much quieter second half but was still a standout performer. 

Romelu Lukaku- 5.5

Was tightly marked up front and after a promising first ten minutes he never found himself in a convincing position in front of goal.

Subs

Yannick Ferreira Carrasco – 5.5

Came on with 10 minutes to go but didn’t have any real impact on the game.

Dries Mertens - 7

Made his prescence felt within seconds of coming on, creating chances with well-weighted crosses.

Michy Batshuayi- N/A

Was brought on with a tough job of trying to find the equaliser at the very death.   

France

Hugo Lloris- 9

Was tested from the very start and rose to the occasion with multiple great saves that saw him fully stretched.  

Benjamin Pavard- 6.5

Had his hands full with Hazard and struggled early on to get the weight of his lofted passes right. Looked more settled after a few attacking runs.

Raphael Varane- 7

Did well to limit the effectiveness of Lukaku, marking him tightly and positioning himself to get first to the ball.

Samuel Umtiti- 7

Stepped up when his country most needed it with a glancing header from a corner to give France the lead early in the second half.

Lucas Hernandez- 6.5

May not be appearing on the highlight reel but he worked well in defence to help France keep their clean sheet.

N’Golo Kante- 7.5

Read the game well to start counter attacks for France and seemed to be anywhere and everywhere for his side.

Paul Pogba- 8.5

Not only created opportunities for his forwards but dropped back to defend when Mertens was sending threatening crosses into the box.

Kylian Mbappe- 9.5

Threatened from the first counter attack and caused concern for the Belgium defence every time he was on the ball. Played with the confidence of a much more experienced player.

Antoine Griezmann – 7.5

Took a while for him to get into the game in the first 15 minutes but as soon as he saw the ball he was instrumental in attack.

 

Blaise Matuidi- 5

Looked good when he slipped in behind the defence but went missing with hardly any involvement for periods of play.

Olivier Giroud- 5.5

Pressured defenders to force mistakes and win the ball but lacked some decisiveness in attack, often holding his run just a moment too long.  

Subs

Steven Nzonzi – N/A

Brought on with five minutes to go, Nzonzi wasn’t given the chance to have a huge impact on the game.

Corentin Tolisso N/A

Another late substitution, providing fresh legs when he came on for an injured Matuidi at the death.