France vs Uruguay: 5 Talking Points as Les Bleus Seal Semi-Final Spot, World Cup 2018

FBL-WC-2018-MATCH57-URU-FRA
France comfortably beat Uruguay to reach the World Cup semi-finals

#2 Kylian Mbappe was France's focus in attack again

Uruguay v France: Quarter Final - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
Kylian Mbappe completed five dribbles in the first half alone

19-year-old Kylian Mbappe was always going to be the main focus for Uruguay's defence and his runs on the right flank only proved why.

Diego Laxalt had a tough time keeping him in check and Mbappe was able to find space to run into time and again. With or without the ball - it did not matter.

The only thing lacking for the France team in the first half was the final ball or a shot on target for the first 40 minutes. Olivier Giroud did set Mbappe up with a well-placed header in the box but the youngster panicked and attempted a header of his own instead of bringing it down and taking a shot considering he was unmarked.

Both Griezmann and Giroud tried to feed Mbappe when they received the ball - Giroud with his hold-up play and Griezmann with his movement in the centre to create space on the right.

But the first goal came via a free-kick in the 40th minute which saw Raphael Varane head home a Griezmann cross to give France the lead. It was their first and only shot on target in the first half.

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