France In Final, Twitter Rejoices & Lloris Gets Special Mention

Samuel Umtiti scored France’s winning header in the 51st minute.

Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku applauds to supporters after the semifinal match between France and Belgium at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the St. Petersburg Stadium in, St. Petersburg, Russia, Tuesday, July 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

(Photo: AP)

France is back in the World Cup final for the first time since Zinedine Zidane's headbutt in 2006.

Twelve years after one of soccer's most infamous moments, Samuel Umtiti used his head to score from a corner kick in the 51st minute and earn France a 1-0 victory over Belgium on Tuesday in the first of the all-European semifinals.

The French danced on the field after the final whistle and shook the hand of Thierry Henry, who helped Les Bleus win the World Cup in 1998 but had been hoping to eliminate his native country as Belgium's assistant coach.

France's fans sang in the stands long past the end of the match, surrounded by yellow-clad security.

They certainly hope to keep the party going on Sunday in the final in Moscow. France will face either Croatia or England, who play Wednesday at the Luzhniki Stadium in the Russian capital.

Here’s a look at how Twitter reacted to France’s superb display against the ‘Golden Generation’ of the ‘Red Devils’.

France’s goalkeeper Hugo Lloris carried on his form from his last match to make a great save in each half, denying the potent Belgian attack of Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku the chance to advance the country to its first major final.

Lloris dived to his right midway through the first half to claw away Toby Alderweireld's shot and then getting in front of Lukaku to punch away one of substitute Dries Mertens' many crosses.

After Lloris exhibited his flying skills, Twitter exploded with Lloris memes.

If Lloris was the hero for the French side, Giroud continued his dismal form. He is yet to put a shot on target in the World Cup. Against Belgium also, Giroud made no amends.

Mbappe, who again failed to score in the match, grabbed headlines for all the wrong reasons. This is second match in a row that the 19-year-old has been a talking point on Twitter despite again providing a top notch performance.

(With inputs from AP)

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