France reached the World Cup semi-finals for the first time since 2006 and ended Uruguay’s dream with a 2-0 win in Nizhny Novgorod on Friday.
Raphael Varane converted a clever Antoine Griezmann free-kick five minutes before half-time and the provider then profited from Fernando Muslera’s goalkeeping howler (61) as Didier Deschamps’ men booked a last-four showdown with Brazil or Belgium.
France, out to emulate the triumphant 1998 team captained by Deschamps, were thankful for a series of fine Hugo Lloris saves but his counterpart’s blunder took the edge off the contest as Luis Suarez without injured partner Edinson Cavani toiled in vain.
Oscar Tabarez’s team had almost taken an early lead during a ragged passage of play, Cavani’s replacement Cristhian Stuani failing to connect as France neglected to clear, before Lloris was forced into a low diving punch under pressure from Jose Gimenez.
Olivier Giroud – on the receiving end of one of a string of robust challenges – teed up Kylian Mbappe soon after but the teen who terrorised Argentina watched his header loop harmlessly onto the roof of the net
France had struggled to find space as their opponents hustled and harried but the breakthrough came from a set-piece when Griezmann, disguising his delivery with a stuttering run-up, curled in for Varane to glance into the far corner.
That had been the first time Muslera had been threatened and France were indebted to opposite number Lloris for a brilliant diving stop moments before the interval to deny Martin Caceres.
Muslera thwarted Paul Pogba with a strong punch as France returned with intent but they were gifted a further advantage when the Uruguay goalkeeper let Griezmann’s potshot through his grasp.
Uruguay needed cool heads but instead a mass melee erupted when Mbappe’s flamboyant flick drew a reaction from Christian Rodriguez and Pogba, angered by Nahitan Nandez, needed to be calmed by his coach.