France blank Belgium, advance to World Cup final

France's Samuel Umtiti (5) heads the ball to score the only goal of the match between France and Belgium at the St Petersburg Stadium in Russia early Wednesday (Thailand time). (AP photo)

SAINT PETERSBURG: Samuel Umtiti headed France into 1-0 victory over Belgium and a ticket to the World Cup champion ship match.

Umtiti rose brilliantly to head in Antoine Griezmann's corner from the right in the 51st minute, for his first goal of the tournament, and the only goal of the match.

Striker Olivier Giroud won the corner after turning Belgian defender Vincent Kompany, forcing him to put his goal-bound shot out of play.

France, the 1998 champion, now advance to the final, where they will face the winner of Wednesday night's match between Croatia and England.

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