France became the first side to book their place in the 2018 World Cup semi-finals with a comfortable 2-0 win over Uruguay here yesterday. The 1998 champions advanced thanks to goals from Raphael Varane and Antoine Griezmann, his third of the tournament. France received a major boost with the news that PSG star Edinson Cavani, Uruguay's two-goal hero in the last round against Portugal, failed to recover from the calf injury.

France were the better team but Uruguay were resolute and relatively unruffled, which is why the goal they conceded in the 40th minute will annoy them so much. Griezmann's freekick from 40 yards out was well delivered and the classy Varane, who glanced it expertly past Fernando Muslera.