World Cup, Russia 2018 - Uruguay 0-2 France, Les Bleus keep World Cup dreams alive

France kept their World Cup dreams alive following their 2-0 win against Uruguay in the quarter-final showdown at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Friday.

A first-half goal netted by Raphael Verane at the 40th minute put the Les Bleus ahead followed by a second-half goal by Antoine Griezmann which sealed the victory for the French team.

France opened scores at the 40th minute of the showdown. Raphael Varane came through with a gorgeous header from Griezmann's free-kick to put the French side in the driving seat. The first half of the encounter was very competitive, niggly and enjoyable between the two seriously proficient teams.

Uruguay almost equalised twice in a couple of minutes. The second effort was thwarted by a fine Lloris save, low to his right to parry Caceres' flashed a header from a right-wing cross following a free-kick. Godin was attacking the back post for the tap-in but Lloris leaped to his feet to face up to him and the Uruguay captain blundered his shot from 3m into the crowd. Earlier Nandez had fired a rising shot at Lloris that the keeper saved with great agility.

France made the breakthrough, but Uruguay's indomitable tenacity meant they kept battling. It was like one of those fist fight scenes atop a moving train as the tunnel approaches. Big haymakers, lots of jabs, wild swings of fortune. It was Uruguay 0-1 France in the first half.
The second goal came in at the 61st minute as Antoine Greizmann made it two for the Les Bleus. Muslera did a Karius and spilled Griezmann's shot which found its way to the back of the net to keep the scoreline 2-0 to the favour of France.

France introduced Dembele as Mbappe left the stage at the 87th minute. The game ended in a 2-0 humiliation of Uruguay whose World Cup dreams ended at the quarter-finals against France.