France on rebound

FRANCE coach Didier Deschamps urged his side to seize redemption in the World Cup final after admitting he has still not got over the pain of defeat in the Euro 2016 final.

Samuel Umtiti headed the only goal in a 1- 0 semi- final win over Belgium in St Petersburg yesterday, consigning the Red Devils “golden generation” to another bitter defeat.

France’s young squad will now aim to make amends for defeat on home soil to Portugal two years ago in Monday morning’s showpiece, where they will meet the winner of this morning’s semi- final between England and Croatia.

“Finals have to be won because we have still not got over the one we lost two years ago,” Deschamps said.

In a World Cup replete with set- piece goals, a corner proved decisive when Umtiti timed his run perfectly to meet Antoine Griezmann’s delivery six minutes into the second half.

“The difference sadly is a set play in a very close and tight game,” lamented Belgium boss Roberto Martinez.

Apart from being the matchwinner, Umtiti’s partnership with Raphael Varane in central defence continues to flourish, and when called upon, captain Hugo Lloris made important saves.

At the other end of the field, teenager Kylian Mbappe was France’s biggest threat, but it was another off night for Olivier Giroud as the focal point of Deschamps’s attack.

Giroud has not eight games.

“I’m not missing too much,” insisted Giroud. “I would have scored in liked to help the team, make the breakthrough tonight.

“That was not the case but, again, I am confident in my chances to score in the final and help bring back the World Cup. I hope to do it in the final.”

Giroud did at least have a part to play in the decisive opener as, after his shot was deflected wide, Griezmann’s corner was flicked in at the near post by Umtiti.

Martinez introduced an extra attacker in Dries Mertens in an attempt to turn the tide and he nearly had an im- mediate impact as was headed inches Marouane Fellaini.

That was as close as Belgium came to taking the game to extra- time, though, as French keeper Lloris comfortably parried a long- range pile driver from Axel Witsel.

For the generation of Hazard, De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, beating Brazil in the quarter- finals was meant to be the breakthrough on the way to winning a major tournament for the first time. Instead, it proved to be a false dawn. his cross wide by