{"id":17205,"date":"2018-07-06T14:16:05","date_gmt":"2018-07-06T18:16:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonsoccer.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=17205"},"modified":"2018-07-06T14:16:05","modified_gmt":"2018-07-06T18:16:05","slug":"france-uruguay-world-cup-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/2018\/07\/06\/france-uruguay-world-cup-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"2018 World Cup: France Says “Au Revoir” Uruguay to keep in the run for the trophy"},"content":{"rendered":"

NIZHNyY NOVGOROD, Russia (July 6, 2018)<\/strong> – A dream continues while the other is gone.<\/p>\n

France team prove once again they are too strong even without showing a remarkable performance as the 2-0 victory over Uruguay established themselves in the FIFA World Cup Semifinals.<\/p>\n

France Says “Au Revoir” Uruguay to keep in the run for the trophy<\/h1>\n

Les Bleus dominated the game and it was not necessary Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbapp\u00e9, or Oliver Giroud have the ball for so long because N’Golo Kant\u00e9, Paul Pogba, and Corentin Tolisso took total control of the midfield.<\/p>\n

It was predestinated to be like that, those who dominate the central part of the pitch will advance, so France did it flawlessly as they forced Uruguay midfielders Nahitan N\u00e1ntes, Rodrigo Betancourt, Mathias Vecino, and Lucas Torreira to commit far too many errors.<\/p>\n

Betancourt and Vecino were unable to retain the ball and create chances for teammates meanwhile Kant\u00e9 appeared to be too comfortable in the center of the pitch.<\/p>\n

Unluckily Uruguayans<\/h3>\n

There were many factors in France’s win at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, but the absence of Edinson Cavani exposed Uruguay’s attacking side as Luis Su\u00e1rez could not make an impact in the game. Indeed, Su\u00e1rez did not shoot in the whole game and he did not even touch the ball inside the opposing box, while his teammate in the forward line Cristian Stuani did not make so much to help either.<\/p>\n

France only had two shots on target, both of them passed through beyond the goal line; that’s efficient. On the other hand, the South Americans had four shots on target and one of them was a Mart\u00edn C\u00e1seres’ header that was phenomenally saved by the goalkeeper Hugo Lloris in the 43rd minute in what the internet quickly reacted as the best save of the tournament.<\/p>\n

Uruguayan captain Diego God\u00edn was in tears after the game but he said he was proud of his team.<\/p>\n

“We had an outstanding tournament. We left it all on the pitch, I only have grateful words for my teammates,” said Uruguay captain Diego God\u00edn.<\/p>\n

Uruguayan goalkeeper Fernando Muslera made a mistake that led the second goal of the game. That error was a psychological punch for La Celeste, but God\u00edn defended his teammate after the elimination.<\/p>\n

“Fernando (Muslera) made a mistake, but that’s part of the game. Many times he has rescued us and he still is a world-class goalkeeper,” Godin added.<\/p>\n

Bonjour semifinals<\/h3>\n

It is the sixth time in France history they will play in a World Cup semifinal, reaching the final twice (1998 and 2006).<\/p>\n

France has an unbeaten run against\u00a0 CONMEBOL team in this year’s World Cup, defeating Per\u00fa in the group stage, Argentina in the Round of 16 and now Uruguay in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n

Moreover, Les Bleus haven’t lost in a World Cup match against a South American team since 1978, when they lost 1-2 to Argentina in the group stage. Since then, France has 6 wins and 4 draws against CONMEBOL countries.<\/p>\n

France also will play their second major semifinal after doing so at the Euro two years ago.<\/p>\n

Stats against La Celeste<\/h3>\n

Starting the game with one goal against was the worst scenario for La Celeste, and the stats made their part again.<\/p>\n

Uruguay has not won any of their last 17 World Cup games when they allow the first goal, which gave them an unwanted record of 3 Draws and 14 losses.<\/p>\n

The last time they trailed a game in which they conceded the first goal was against France in 1966, but this times facing the same rival they were not even close.<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>