Nizhny Novgorod: Goals by Raphael Varane and Antoinne Griezmann helped France outclass Uruguay 2-0 in the first World Cup quarterfinal on Friday and a set up a last-four tie with Brazil or Belgium.
Varane's 40th-minute header from an Griezmann free kick was only the second goal Uruguay had conceded all tournament. The South Americans went close to equalising just before the break only for Martin Caceres's goal-bound header to be brilliantly turned onto a post by goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
But it was an error by Uruguay keeper Fernando Muslera that settled it when he tried to palm a routine long-range, swerving Griezmann shot after 61 minutes but misjudged it and allowed it to slip past him.
Uruguay, hard-hit by the absence of injured key striker Edinson Cavani, showed plenty of commitment trying to find a way back but France controlled the ball well to secure their Saint Petersburg semifinal slot.
