France vs Belgium, FIFA World Cup 2018 SF, Highlights: As it Happened

That's all for today! Good night folks! 

This is France's third final in 20 years, they won the first of the three in Paris 20 years ago and then lost to Italy in 2006. What will happen on Sunday when they play either England or Croatia? 

Full time: France - 1 Belgium - 0 

France have their eyes on the clock, but Pogba has found Tolisso and he shoots with his left, but Courtois deflects it for a corner. 

Varane makes yet another clearance from a Belgian cross after Hazard's mazy run found de Bruyne on the right. Then Vertonghen clunks into Mbappé to concede a daft freekick and a deserved yellow card.

Right after that France come back again in attack with Mbappe and Tolisso, but Kompany puts in one big tackle to stop the youngster. 

Griezmann has chance to finish it off after Pogba finds him on the edge of the box. But the right footed shot is collected well by Courtois. 

Pogba has earned himself a foul near the corner flag and France will take their time with this. Mbappe and Griezmann standing on it. 

We are into 6 minutes of stoppage time. Didier Deschamps can't bear to look. 

Kevin de Bruyne picks up the ball on the centre line and sends in a peach of a delivery to Lukaku, who can't reach the ball! Talk about service, that was the moment and Lukaku should have done much much better. Does not look like Belgium's day. 

Hazard is brought down cynically by Kante and the free-kick in by de Bruyne is headed out by Nzonzi after which Mbappe clears it out towards the center line. 

Lukaku has been completely missing today and his midfield has failed to give him good service. 

France take Matuidi out and put Tolisso in.

France have taken off Olivier Giroud and Nzonzi comes on with five minutes left in the game. 

Mertens tries to round Hernandez and deliver yet another great ball but the defender is wise to his game and leads him out of play.

Varane stops Hazard with a super tackle but the ball comes out to Witsel, who lets fly from range. It’s a ferocious hit but close to Lloris, who punches it away with both fists.

Brilliant run by Hazard down the left, past Pogba. He’s brought down by Giroud at the edge of the box. The ref waves play on, to the disbelief of Hazard and Belgians everywhere!

Belgium have had a major chunk of the possession in the game today so far, but France have closed out all avenues apart from Mertens it would seem, who has been putting balls in for fun into the box.

So stubborn have been France in their ways of defending their lead that Belgium's attackers are making more errors in passing than they would want to. Hazard and de bruyne both guilty of bad passes, while Mbappe on the other hand is having the time of his life. Quick feet and feints catching Belgium out easily. 

Kevin de Bruyne tries to drive and shoot, but the result is like one of Giroud's tries from earlier today - in the stands! 

15 minutes left in the game.

The way France are protecting their lead is very very impressive. They have been extremely solid and efficient and are like clockwork at the back. Belgium are struggling to find any openings and, at this point, are more likely to concede again on the counter.

Belgium need to get something on the Mertens crosses in if they want to make this happen. At the moment, they seem far from an equaliser. Meanwhile, Umtiti has taken a ball awkwardly in the face and has gone down. The Belgian support are booing him quite vociferously. France though will be happy they have broken up the play. 

Belgium stroke the ball around for a bit before it comes out to Mertens on the right, and he swings in another fantastic ball into the box, but Pogba heads it out. Belgium's crossing has gone up a few notches since Mertens has come on. 

France have been the more accomplished side since half-time and since they have score Kevin de Bruyne has given away the ball a little more than he would have liked – desperately trying to get his side back into this. 20 minutes to go.

Stat attack

Umtiti's effort was the 32nd headed goal at this World Cup. The last edition with more was 2002 (35)

The last team to come from behind and win a World Cup semi-final was France, against Croatia in 1998

69 of the 158 goals at Russia 2018 so far have come from set-piece situations

Mbappe has been on fire today, he switches play this time to Griezmann on the left with a lovely long diagonal ball. It comes back to Giroud who sends the ball into the stands. 

Since coming on Mertens has looked dangerous, and Hazard surprisingly has been kept rather silent so far in the second half. France have gone through the gears and the momentum is with them. 

Mertens with another lovely ball into the box from the right, that's punched out emphatically by Lloris. But it's not out of danger, and Mertens swings it in again and Fellaini's header which had pace is just off target. 

Big chance for Belgium! Lukaku finds Mertens bombing up the right and the ball in is hastily cleared by Varane, it falls to de Bruyne who will be really disappointed about not having connected on that volley. Half an hour to go now. That was also Mertens' first touch really.