Uruguay vs France: Kylian Mbappe stars again, Edinson Cavani absence hits hard, Les Bleus fail to find top form

Five things we learned: Goals from Raphael Varane and Antoine Griezmann were enough to put France in the semi-finals of the World Cup

France are through to the semi-finals of the World Cup after beating Uruguay 2-0 in Nizhny Novgorod.

It was a game that lacked any real high-quality football as both team struggled to find their top form.

The French, though, emerged deserved winners thanks to Raphael Varane’s well-taken header and Antoine Griezmann’s strike, helped on its way by a Fernando Muslera mistake.

So, what did we learn?

France fail to hit top form – again

Against Argentina, France came to life. After the disappointment of their group-stage performances, Les Blues finally showed what they were capable of in the last-16 as they bombarded Jorge Sampaoli’s side with their pace, power and precision. It was a French masterclass and suggested the former world champions had finally found their form.

But it was a different story today. Although the slick, interchanging passes and incisive running remained, France lacked that all-important final product to put Uruguay to the sword.

When it came to the final third, France were guilty of overplaying the ball – as exemplified by a catalogue of flicks and tricks that a number of the French players attempted in and around the Uruguay box.

Of course, their efforts paid of in the form of Varane and Griezmann's goals, but there’s no doubt France failed once again to hit top form.

France struggled to recreate their last-16 form (AFP/Getty Images)

‘Shithousery’ makes its returns

England’s last-16 clash with Colombia was defined by the presence of “shithousery” – and the phenomenon made a return today, though in somewhat softer forms.

Over the years Uruguay have developed a reputation for their less-than-salubrious tactics on the pitch and while this element of their game has faded to grey at this summer’s World Cup, there was certainly a concerted effort being made to disrupt the French side’s football today.

Whether it was a late Luis Suarez challenge on Benjamin Pavard, that saw a sharp elbow to the ribs, or Rodrigo Bentancur’s scathing chop on Corentin Tolisso, Uruguay did what they could to limit France’s free-flowing style.

Luis Suarez makes his presence felt (Getty Images)

There was confrontation, too, and the loosing of collective heads – as best exemplified by the incident with Mbappe and much of the Uruguay team midway through the second half. The French were by no means blameless, with Hernandez and Mbappe seen dabbling in the dark arts of histrionics, but this was a reminder that Uruguay will never truly change their spots.

Mbappe continues to grow

After his match-winning exploits in the last-16, it was always going to be hard for Mbappe to recreate the same form. But he gave it a good go against Uruguay.

After the opening 15 minutes, the teenager had already attempted and completed five take-ons as he set about terrorising the Uruguayan defence with his blistering pace and graceful movement.

He came close to opening the score for France, too. Rising highest in the box to meet an Olivier Giroud set-up, Mbappe saw his headed effort sail high above the bar having misjudged the situation. In reality, the Frenchman had the time and space to bring the ball under control but, in the pressure of the moment, rushed the opportunity. It was perhaps a rare reminder of the player’s youth and naivety.

Nonetheless, despite finding himself on the periphery at times, it was yet another deeply impressive performance from the 19-year-old who remains on the upward trajectory to greatness.

The youngster remains on an upward trajectory (Getty Images)

Uruguay hit hard by Cavani absence

Edinson Cavani’s exclusion struck a hammer blow to Uruguay's game-plan and, by extension, the side's hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals.

Uruguay manager Óscar Tabárez has never been one to value possession, instead placing emphasis on the creation and delivery of goal-scoring opportunities. Indeed, it became apparent from early on that the side's tactics revolved around disrupting the French and catching their opponents on the break.

Except, without Cavani on the pitch, Uruguay’s chances in front of goal were limited. For all Luiz Suarez’s talent, the South Americans lacked that menacing, physical presence up front and thus struggled to properly assert themselves in the final third.

Griezmann steps up to deliver for France

All eyes have rightly been on Mbappe but it was Griezmann who re-established himself as his country’s key man.

The Atletico Madrid man provided the two moments of quality that broke the resistance of the World Cup’s meanest defence and earned France a place in the semi-finals.

Fernando Muslera fumbles the ball following Antoine Griezmann's shot (Getty Images)

A pinpoint free-kick delivery from the 27-year-old, embellished by a smart stutter in the run-up, allowed Varane to glance in the opening goal five minutes before half-time, and he made sure of France’s victory just after the hour mark when his swerving shot from 25 yards prompted a horrible and uncharacteristic mistake from Muslera.

Griezmann performed like a man inspired by the challenge of facing a country and a footballing culture that he identifies with almost as much as France. In comments earlier this week he described himself as “half-Uruguayan”, opening up about the affection forged by close friendships with former Real Sociedad teammate Carlos Bueno and Atletico defensive stalwart Diego Godin. But when push came to shove, Griezmann was more than happy to step up and deliver for the French.