Last night France beat Belgium 1-0 to secure a spot at the final of the Football World Cup 2018. This is the first time the team has made it to the final of a world cup since past 20 years.
As expected, the French came out in tens of thousands to celebrate their victory. People wore the tricolor flag and stormed the Parisian boulevards with car horns reverberating throughout the capital city of France.
The biggest celebration took place at the Champs-Élysées where excited fans lit smoke and flares to celebrate their victory.
People chanted ‘We’re going to the final, we’re going to the final’ and starting singing the La Marseillaise national anthem. The scenes were unreal.
Dark side of celebrations in France
With celebrations this large, it was expected that things would go out of hand. The grand party was marred by clashes between the riot police and the mobs at the iconic Champs Elysees avenue as scores of people started hurling plastic crowd-control barriers and other things at armed policemen.
The southern city of Nice also had similar scenes where more than two dozen fans were hurt after the detonation of firecrackers went wrong and created a small stampede near the seafront.
England Vs. Croatia tonight
With only one semi-final remaining, tonight’s match will decide the fate of England and Croatia. Both teams are looking strong and will give their best to reach the world cup final and meet France.
Some people in England and France are both hoping for a final between the two countries given the long-term rivalry.
For full Football world cup 2018 schedule and live streaming guide in Pakistan, click here.
France has never beaten England in a world cup
For many, France vs. England is a dream matchup. Both countries have won the world cup once and if England makes it to the final, both will have a chance to win the world cup for the second time.
The two teams have met 31 times since 1923. The two have met in five Euros and have played against each other in two World Cups.
England so far has beaten France both times they met in a world cup. Last time the two teams met in a football world cup was in 1982 in the group stages where England won 3-1.
Overall, England has 19 wins and France has 9 with 5 draws ever since 1923. Here are how the last 10 meetings between two look like:
- June 14, 1992 DRAW 0-0 (Euro 92)
- June 7, 1997 WON 1-0 (Tournoi de France)
- February 10, 1999 LOST 0-2 (International Friendly)
- September 2, 2000 DRAW 1-1 (International Friendly)
- June 13, 2004 LOST 1-2 Euro 2004
- March 26, 2008 LOST 0-1 (International Friendly)
- November 17, 2010 LOST 1-2 (International Friendly)
- June 11, 2012 DRAW 1-1 Euro 2012
- November 17, 2015 WON 2-0 (International Friendly)
- June 13, 2017 LOSS 2-3 (International Friendly)
This year France is looking stronger on paper and is being viewed as the favorites.
