France played ‘anti-football’ in FIFA World Cup 2018 semi-final: Thibaut Courtois

Belgium struggled to create many chances after a bright start as they were left frustrated by a compact France outfit in the FIFA World Cup 2018 semi-final. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois blasted Les Bleus – who moved into a third final – for their tactics

football Updated: Jul 11, 2018 10:49 IST
Belgium's Thibaut Courtois makes a save from France's Olivier Giroud and Blaise Matuidi in FIFA World Cup 2018 semi-final.(REUTERS)

Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois accused France of playing “anti-football” during his side’s FIFA World Cup 2018 semi-final loss on Tuesday.

Samuel Umtiti’s 51st-minute header saw France win 1-0 in St Petersburg, booking a spot in Sunday’s final for Didier Deschamps’ men.

Belgium struggled to create many chances after a bright start as they were left frustrated by a compact France outfit.

Courtois blasted Les Bleus – who moved into a third World Cup final – for their tactics. “It’s just an anti-football team,” Courtois told Sporza. “Their striker plays 30 metres from his own goal.”

Belgium booked their spot in the semi-final by upsetting favourites Brazil in the last eight. But Courtois said he would have preferred to lose to Tite’s men, praising their approach.

“France heads a corner and does nothing more than defend,” he said. “I would have preferred to have lost in the quarter-finals to Brazil, at least that was a team that wanted to play football.”