France will face England or Croatia in the World Cup final after edging past European neighbours Belgium in the semi-final in St Petersburg.
Defender Samuel Umtiti scored the winning goal for the 1998 champions in the 51st minute, stealing a march on his marker Marouane Fellaini at the near post to flick a header beyond Thibaut Courtois from Antoine Griezmann’s corner.
The first half saw chances at either end, with Belgium captain Eden Hazard going close before Hugo Lloris and Thibaut Courtois denied Toby Alderweireld and Benjamin Pavard respectively to ensure the opening period ended all square.
Having seen the best chances come from defenders, it was apt that a centre-half opened the scoring. After Raphael Varane performed heroics in the quarter-finals against Uruguay, this time it was Umtiti, stealing a march on his marker Marouane Fellaini at the near post and flick a header beyond Thibaut Courtois.
Once ahead, France locked down, robbing the Red Devils’ star names of space to pick through in the final third, grinding down the clock – while looking to strike on the counter – until their place in the Moscow finale was confirmed.
Since reaching their first in 1998, France – with three appearances – have now reached more World Cup finals than any other nation.
Winning the World Cup would also see Didier Deschamps becoming the third person after Brazilian Mario Zagallo and Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer to win the competition both as a player and manager.
France now awaits the winner of semi-final two between England and Croatia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on Wednesday.
The final takes place on Sunday.