Uruguay vs France LIVE: World Cup latest score & goals; Raphael Varane breaks the deadlock

France and Uruguay are vying for a place in the semi-finals of the World Cup.

Two-time World Cup winners Uruguay have conceded just one goal in four matches at the tournament in Russia with skipper Diego Godin in imperious form.

France got off to a slow start at the World Cup but four goals against Argentina last weekend will be a stark reminder to Uruguay of what they are capable of producing.

A semi-final against Brazil or Belgium awaits the winner.

URUGUAY 0-1 FRANCE | RAPHAEL VARANE (39)

France XI: Lloris, Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Hernandez, Pogba, Kante, Tolisso, Mbappe, Griezmann, Giroud.

Uruguay XI: Muslera, Caceres, Godin, Gimenez, Laxalt, Nandez, Torreira, Bentacur, Vecino, Suarez, Stuani.

URUGUAY 0-1 FRANCE

54: Suarez is losing his temper with strike partner Stuani, who attempted a shocking no-look reverse pass. He’s still chatting to him two minutes after the incident.

No wonder really. Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez are not starting a competitive game for Uruguay together for the first time since March 2017, when they lost 1-4 to Brazil.

51: France really have their tails up now. It’s probably their best passage of play so far as Kylian Mbappe reaches the byline and wins a corner. Griezmann delivers but Suarez is back doing his defensive duties.

48: Have Uruguay switched things up? Have they heck! The South Americans are still absorbing pressure as France go searching for a second.

45: And we’re back underway. Edinson Cavani is still ruefully sat on the bench. No changes for either side.

TWITTER ROUND-UP

Stuart: Top save from Hugo Lloris, but not as good as Jordan Pickford’s fingertip save the other night.

Dana: The unsung hero of this tournament – Diego Laxalt. Never makes a mistake, and is keeping Kylian Mbappe in line.

Phil: Let’s thank the football gods! Uruguay are like watching Italian football, boooring!

You forgot to mention that it’s coming home, Stuart. Oversight…

URUGUAY 0-1 FRANCE

HT: Just a classic slow-burner. Uruguay did everything in their power to stifle France but were undone by a cracking French free-kick routine. Antoine Griezmann’s stuttered run up caught them off-guard and Raphael Varane did the rest.

What Uruguay would do to be able to throw Edinson Cavani into the mix.

45: Uruguay ending the half on the front-foot with crosses flying in from all directions but Umtiti deals with them confidently.

43: Unbelievable save! Absolutely unbelievable. Uruguay have a free-kick in the exact same position as France. Martin Caceres glances the ball towards goal and Hugo Lloris somehow claws it out and blocks the follow-up. Outstanding from the Tottenham star.

40: Uruguay haven’t won any of their last 16 World Cup games in which they’ve conceded the first goal (D3 L13), since beating France 2-1 in 1966.

URUGUAY 0-1 FRANCE | VARANE

39: And there’s the breakthrough! Everything was going according to plan for Uruguay but Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane had other ideas.

Antoine Griezmann floats in a free-kick from the right touchline and Varane arrived to glance it beyond the outstretched Muslera.

One shot on target, one goal scored.

38: Booked. Tolisso summons his inner Neymar by rolling around theatrically when he’s tackled by Bentancur. The yellow card is shown by referee Nestor Pitana and that means the Uruguay midfielder will miss the semi-finals.

37: A decent foray forward from Uruguay results in Vecino half-connecting with a first-time effort just inside the area. Comfortable save from Lloris.

France still without a shot on target…

35:  “Where’s the support,” screams every Frenchman watching. Mbappe skins Laxalt before sweeping a ball across goal but Griezmann and Giroud were nowhere to be seen.

33: Vintage Uruguay. They’ve been poking and prodding Lucas Hernandez all game and he’s finally snapped by chopping Luis Suarez to the ground. Booked.

30: We’ve reached the half-hour mark and the match is going exactly as we suspected. Uruguay are turning it into a grind. France playing pretty football but nothing to cause Muslera any problems.

28: Mbappe and Laxalt are having one heck of a battle down the right. The Frenchman wins on this occasion by reaching the byline and winning a set-piece. Cleared.

France should watch some of the England corner routines. We’ve quite clearly mastered it.

25: How on earth? Uruguay have received just ONE yellow card in four World Cup matches. They have, without doubt, mastered the art of s***housery.

23: Grim. A Horse-fly has just flown into Hugo Lloris’ mouth as the goalkeeper prepared to launch a goal kick. The fly survived on that occasion but I doubt he’ll try that with Suarez.

20: Ouch! Cristhian Stuani ploughs through the back of Lucas Hernandez. It looks like the Uruguayan’s are targeting the 22-year-old.

Paul Pogba shows his frustration with a 40-yard blast that’s just landed somewhere in the Atlantic.

19: I hope you’ve put your money on bookings today folks. The referee is going to be insanely busy with all the fouls and theatrics. I suspect VAR will be required at some point.

17: Close! Olivier Giroud does well to leap above Gimenez and Godin to meet a corner but sends the header miles over the bar.

14: Giroud expected Gimenez to easily clear Hernandez’s delivery from the right. So he’s caught cold when the ball finds its way to him. Should have done better.

12: Nandez caught by Hernandez, Hernandez caught by Nandez. Tons of tit-for-tat in the opening stages.

10: I think I know where Colombia picked up their tactics, folks. Uruguay are flying into tackles, fouling and slowing the game right down.

8: More Uruguay pressure as Stuani wriggles into space before blazing wide of the far post. Luis Suarez gives him the ‘you should always pass to me’ eyes…

5: Encouraging sings for the South Americans as Laxalt strides beyond Pavard before delivering a cross that Varane shanks to Nandez, who powers it back into the box. Nobody could apply the finish.

3: Olivier Giroud receives a traditional Uruguayan welcome as Gimenez rakes his studs down the striker’s achilles. That’ll teach him for attacking…

URUGUAY 0-0 FRANCE

1: And we’re underway! Luis Suarez vs Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe vs Diego Godin, Olivier Giroud vs Jose Gimenez… this promises to be one heck of a match.

DELAY…

14:55: Apologies for the lack of build-up. I was dragged into a meeting before finding a work experience youth sat in my chair. Needless to say I’ve thrown him in the Thames and filed my grievances to HR…

TWITTER ROUND-UP

Jordan: Suarez is undoubtedly world class and a match-winner, but without Cavani, its a big ask for Uruguay to win this.

Jon: Can’t see past France for this game. Uruguay aren’t as good as everyone is making them out to be. Great defence but their midfield is weak & they’re missing half their attack.. France are explosive & have the best player in the world leading the line! 3-1 Les Bleus!

Moon: Cavani always has the worst luck when it comes to international tournaments… but fair enough, this World Cup he’s finally shown the entire world what he can do. Such a shame he’s injured again.

Everyone appears to be overlooking former Middlesbrough legend Cristhian Stuani…

TEAM NEWS – FRANCE

14:50: France, who beat Argentina 4-3 in the last 16, are without suspended midfielder Blaise Matuidi, replaced by Corentin Tolisso, as coach Didier Deschamps also kept an otherwise unchanged team.

NEXT UP…

14:45: Don’t forget that Belgium’s so-called Golden Generation have the ultimate acid test later today. Brazil.

Roberto Martinez’s side are one of the favourites to return with the trophy and although they needed every ounce of resolve at their disposal to fight their way back from disaster against Japan in the last 16, they remain on course.

We’ll be LIVE with that clash from 5.30pm. Shameless plug over.

‘TRUE LEADER’

14:40: All aboard the praise Paul Pogba bandwagon. It looks like goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is the first to hop on.

Lloris believes his international colleague is developing with more experience and has backed him to deliver in this tournament’s latter stages.

“I think he’s maturing, he’s growing,” Lloris said. “He’s accumulating experience, be it with Manchester United, Juventus – now he’s lining up more seasons, more caps. He’s starting to grow in the locker room also and that is a good thing because he’s a true leader.

“He’s a very ambitious player. We all know he’s extremely talented and he has a lot to offer the team and his team-mates. I think that these big competitions are also good to reveal the talent of players and I’m sure it’s going to be the case for Paul.”

TWITTER ROUND-UP

Pete. Right… France vs Uruguay followed by Brazil v Belgium. I am hyperventilating. Pass me the inhaler!

Damian: No Edinson Cavani is a massive blow for Uruguay. Got to fancy France to go through. 1-0 or 2-1 France for me.

Tom: With Edinson Cavani out injured I think this game is France’s to lose.

TEAM NEWS – URUGUAY

14:30: Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani has failed to recover from injury in time with Cristhian Stuani replacing him up front alongside Luis Suarez.

Cavani scored two goals in the round of 16 win over Portugal then limped off with a calf injury, so Uruguay had desperately hoped to have him fit for the match at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez kept the rest of his side unchanged from the 2-1 win over Portugal.

URUGUAY vs FRANCE

14:15: And the line-ups have officially arrived. Just the one change for Didier Deschamps as Corentin Tolisso replaces the suspended Blaise Matuidi.

Uruguay XI: Muslera, Caceres, Godin, Gimenez, Laxalt, Nandez, Torreira, Bentacur, Vecino, Suarez, Stuani.

France XI: Lloris, Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Hernandez, Pogba, Kante, Tolisso, Mbappe, Griezmann, Giroud.

CONFIRMATION

13:55: Ladies and gentlemen, it’s with a heavy heart that I report the news that Edinson Cavani is not starting for Uruguay today.

His glossy hair, defined jaw-line and eye for goal will be sorely missed…

MEET THE NEW BOSS…

13:50: Kylian Mbappe’s World Cup took off last Saturday when he scored twice in France’s thrilling 4-3 victory over Argentina.

Six days on, the outcome of their quarter-final clash with Uruguay could be largely determined by the extent to which the 19-year-old Monaco frontman can outshine Luis Suarez.

HAVE YOUR SAY

13:45: If you want to vent your frustrations, or discuss any issues in the world of football (within reason), then get in touch!

You can either comment at the bottom of the page or contact me via Twitter using the hashtag #ExpressSport.

WELCOME

13:40: Hello everyone, welcome to our LIVE coverage of the World Cup.

I’ve been trying to focus on the build-up to today’s showdown between Uruguay and France but there’s just one sentence floating around in my head.

It’s coming home…

We’ve all seen the videos online of Three Lions being dubbed over Only Fools and Horses, The Matrix and Alan Partridge.

But let’s try and put them to one side, for 90 minutes at least, while these sides battle it out to play us in the final…

Let’s get started!