Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen admits Belgium struggled to break down France for last night's World Cup semifinal defeat.

Samuel Umtiti proved the matchwinner as his goal sent France to the final.

Afterwards, Vertonghen said: "We knew that it would be difficult to defeat them.

"We had a couple of chances, but against this French team one has to score and we did not. They have good centre-backs, N'Golo Kante, Paul Pogba and Blaise Matuidi in front of them and they are very good defensively.

"I'm disappointed now but still proud of what we did."