In a few hours time, the first semifinal of Russia 2018 will kickoff featuring France and Belgium. Les Bleus find themselves back in the semifinals for the first time since finishing as runners-up in 2006, and for the sixth time overall. The Red Devils meanwhile, find themselves in their second semifinal - their only other appearance came at Mexico 1986. Belgium's best finish was 4th place at that same tournament, while France hoisted the trophy in 1998 as hosts. As far as this tournament goes, both have been impressive at times, and both have very talented squads.
Kylian Mbappe was the breakout star of the tournament with his dominant performance in the Round of 16 verse Argentina, as he single-handedly torched the Argentinians time and time again and produced two of France's four goals in the match. While Mbappe was off and running against the South Americans, his other matches have failed to match that production. He was solid against Uruguay in their relatively easy quarter-finals victory, but didn't put his stamp on that game the way he did against Argentina.
Possibly the most intriguing matchup of the game will be between the young French breakout star and Belgium captain Eden Hazard, who has had himself a fine tournament thus far as well. He's produced 2 goals and 2 assists, and according to WhoScored.com, has the highest rating of any player in the tournament thus far at 8.56. He's accounted for 2.9 key passes per 90 mins, as well as 5.9 dribbles per 90 mins, and generated 3.5 shots per 90 min in his 4 matches thus far in the tournament.
Hazard could cause problems as he's been perhaps the best player in this tournament to this point, especially in the final third in general. Whichever player has the biggest impact on this game could very well be the front-runner for player of the tournament, and will go a long way to deciding who comes out on top in this one.
Despite piling in the 4 goals against Argentina, France have scored just 9 goals in 5 matches thus far. They've put 19 of their 56 shots on target for a 34% accuracy mark, which actually ranks in the middle of the pack at this World Cup. Tunisia and Saudi Arabia actually produced slightly more shots per match, as France has attempted just 11 shots per game. They were right on that mark in the victory over Uruguay, as both squads attempted 11 shots each in their quarterfinals encounter. Even with the added boost of not having to face an injured Edinson Cavani, Uruguay still matched the French shot-for-shot. Luis Suarez was held without a single touch in the box however, so while they did give up shots, they were able to limit the most dangerous threat on the pitch for Uruguay.
Belgium, meanwhile, have produced 14 goals thus far, good for tops in the tournament, and have generated 85 shots with 33 being on-target for a 39% accuracy mark. That's good for 17 shots per game, even though they have yet to need extra time in any of their 5 matches. 25-year old big man Romelu Lukaku has been a problem up front for the opposition as he leads the goal-scoring for the Red Devils with 4 thus far. That's good for a tie for 2nd most in this tournament, behind England's Harry Kane. Lukaku is big, strong, agile, and surprisingly fast, at 6'3" and 207 lbs. He will be a match-up problem in the middle for France, and his presence will once again be a big factor in the match if Belgium are to advance to their first final.
Meanwhile, Antoine Griezmann, who's scored 3 goals himself thus far, Olivier Giroud, and Paul Pogba provide added stability and play-making ability up front and in the mid-field for Les Bleus. Griezmann's ability on set pieces should not be under-estimated by Belgium, and Paul Pogba has showed his brilliance in brief moments thus far, but has yet to leave his mark on this tournament. Giroud has had a solid tournament as well, and the trio will be counted on to produce opportunities and once again lead the way for France.
France is the slightest of favorites heading into the match, and, in fact, are the slight favorites to hoist the trophy out of the four remaining teams when all is said and done. That being said, Didier Deschamps' side did struggle in open space against Uruguay, despite the relatively easy victory, and will need to shore some things up in that regard for this match.
Belgium, meanwhile, have been master technicians thus far in open space as their clinical counterattack has been a thing of beauty to behold in this tournament. It should be featured in every instructional soccer video out there. It's what ultimately doomed Japan, in their Round of 16 clash, when they rallied from 2 down in the second half, and got the winner out of a counterattack in the very last gasp moments of injury time.
While Belgium and France have met three previous times in major tournaments, and Les Bleus have won all three, including 2 previous encounters at World Cups, this Belgian edition has enough talent and matchup-problems up front to make history. Roberto Martinez's side are the only one to have won all of their matches inside normal time, and there's nothing to suggest that they can't do it again in this match. If France can hit their stride, they may be off and running, but there is no guarantee that will happen, and Belgium have shown plenty of cracks themselves, but have also shown a penchant to effectively attack more often than not, and that may be enough to get it done. In the end, Lukaku, De Bruyne, and Hazard are just a tad too much for France, and Belgium advance to their first-ever World Cup Final.
PREDICTION: Belgium 2 France 1