Courtois: France played 'anti-football' in semi-final
Belgium's goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois carries his daughter, Adriana, as he greets the fans after their defeat in their Russia 2018 World Cup semi-final match against France at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg on July 10, 2018. PHOTO | GABRIEL BOUYS |
What you need to know:
- But Courtois said he would have preferred to lose to Tite's men, praising their approach.
- "France heads a corner and does nothing more than defend," he said.
- "I would have preferred to have lost in the quarter-finals to Brazil, at least that was a team that wanted to play football."
Thibaut Courtois slammed France's style after Belgium's World Cup semi-final defeat.
Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois accused France of playing "anti-football" during his side's World Cup semi-final loss on Tuesday.
Samuel Umtiti's 51st-minute header saw France win 1-0 in St Petersburg, booking a spot in Sunday's final for Didier Deschamps' men.
Belgium struggled to create many chances after a bright start as they were left frustrated by a compact France outfit.
Courtois blasted Les Bleus – who moved into a third World Cup final – for their tactics.
"It's just an anti-football team," Courtois told Sporza.
"Their striker plays 30 metres from his own goal."
Belgium booked their spot in the semi-final by upsetting favourites Brazil in the last eight.
But Courtois said he would have preferred to lose to Tite's men, praising their approach.
"France heads a corner and does nothing more than defend," he said.
"I would have preferred to have lost in the quarter-finals to Brazil, at least that was a team that wanted to play football."
