Belgium’s magical run came to an end in Tuesday’s semifinal-round matchup against France, and the game-winning goal came from an unlikely source.
With so many potential goal-scorers in the match, from Kylian Mbappe, to Eden Hazard, to Paul Pogba, to Kevin De Bruyne, it actually ended up being a defender that came up big in the clutch.
France defender Samuel Umtiti got on the other end of a corner kick, and perfectly deflected the ball into the back of the net in the 51st minute with his head.
SAMUEL UMTITI!
The center back heads home the corner to give France the 1-0 lead. 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/Y5MtXUpvDg
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 10, 2018
This stat puts the feat in perspective.
1998 – It's the first time since 1998 that 3 defenders (Lizarazu, Blanc & Thuram) score a goal for France in the same World Cup (Pavard, Varane & Umtiti). Mental. #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/ooKUrAv9aI
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) July 10, 2018
France went on to win — punching its ticket to the final — 1-0. What a match.
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