FIFA World Cup 2018, France vs Belgium: A Tale of two Games

How fans Cheered and sighed at the screenings of the World Cup semi-finals at the Embassies of France and Belgium in New Delhi.

Supporters of France at the French Embassy (Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal)

Midnight in Delhi meant that it was 9 pm — St Petersburg time — at the Embassy of France on Wednesday, when the men in blue played Belgium in the semi-final of the FIFA World Cup 2018. “Tonight, this feels like home and we are one family,” said Chloe Emerian, with blue, white and red stripes on her cheeks. Emerian works for a French company in Delhi. The Embassy might be located in the Capital’s diplomatic enclave, Chanakyapuri, but, for the 500-strong crowd that included Ambassador Alexandre Ziegler, the hall, with the giant screen, was France. “When you are a foreigner, you do meet others from your country but, very rarely, so many at once are united by one reason,” said her friend, Lucile Frizzi.

From across Delhi, French expats arrived with partners and friend groups. Arthur Forec from Paris, who has been in India for two weeks, was accompanied by 10 others. “We have to be more efficient, show a bit more accuracy. If France wins this match, it’ll win the World Cup,” he said. The majority of the audience was standing, chugging beers, and shouting instructions to the players as they failed to score or succeeded in stopping Belgium in the first half. “I love watching Kylian Mbappé but I am here because I can meet so many people,” said Marie Blain.

Massive speakers conveyed the noise from Russia but, in the hall, the cheers rose and fell like Mexican waves, as viewers, with French flags pinned to their hair, tucked into pockets, pasted on foreheads and draped around shoulders, watched sharp moves and missed shots. The chant of Allez les blues (Let’s go blue team) erupted frequently from one corner and was carried across the hall. Then, in the 51st minute, Samuel Umtiti’s header gave France a goal. The cheers thundered to the high ceiling of the Embassy and drowned out the applause from the speakers. In the final minute, the screens showed fans dancing in the stands at St Petersburg Stadium. In the hall, the audience accompanied by bursting into La Marseillaise.

Fans at the Belgian Embassy (Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal)

It was a sea of red, black and yellow, as about 150 people gathered at the Belgian Embassy in the Capital to support Belgium as they played neighbour France in the semifinals of the FIFA World Cup. Loyal supporters wore the colours proudly — for those who didn’t have the country jerseys, a black cape and red Fabindia kurta worked just as fine. Hopes were high for a Belgian win. Trivia and facts were parroted around over Belgian beer. “It was in 1986 that Belgium made it to the semis,” said a supporter with red, yellow and black war paint on his face. Then, Belgium had lost to Argentina (2-0), and both the goals were scored by Maradona.

As the game kicked off on Tuesday, every save by Koen Casteels, the goal keeper, was appreciated by resounding cheer in the screening hall. Every attempt to strike a goal was combined with an accompanying sound of expletives, cheers and loud encouragements. After half time, the tension was thick in the air. People were seated on the edge of their chairs, and in the 51st minute, a header by French defender Samuel Umtiti sealed Belgium’s fate. The loud gasp and despondent sighs, led the way for Belgium’s exit from the 21st FIFA World Cup. For Belgium, history repeated itself after 32 years. As France secured a place in their third ever World Cup final, crestfallen Belgian fans trudged out into the night. One such fan, on his exit placed a tiny Belgian flag by a window, and muttered, “maybe in the next one, just four years away.”

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More