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How Belgium was built
Some see Belgium's run to the semi-finals as a validation of how it has altered its development system and cared for its current generation of players. As for the restarts of Germany and Spain before it, the transformation of Belgium is now considered – by some – as worthy of study and copying. But the presence of Belgium, Croatia, France and England here, reminds Rory Smith, reminds us to try to replicate any model in another country
The attack of Belgium against France
Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne is perhaps the best offensive trio that remains in the tournament, and they asked serious questions to each team in the knockouts . France 's ability to disrupt them before that they find themselves in dangerous positions will help them not to impose on the ground today. This role often comes back to N & # 39; Golo Kanté, a tireless worker. But he will need the help of Paul Pogba and another strong performance from Raphael Varane and Samuel Umtiti today. the stoppage of Belgium will not be an individual job.
• Kylian Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann will pose a test of attack as formidable as the one Belgium has recently pbaded against Brazil. Belgium has done so with a solid game of Marouane Fellaini and Axel Witsel in midfield, and France should expect a little more of the same today.
France vs Belgium Top Story Lines
• So many meetings today familiar to the regulars of the Premier League: N & # 39; Golo Kanté and Paul Pogba of France vs Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne of Belgium at Midfielder; goaltender Hugo Lloris trying to push forward Romelu Lukaku; Olivier Giroud potentially difficult for Headers against Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld. But club affiliations are now unclear: Tottenham, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Paris St. Germain, Monaco and Barcelona all have players on both sides of this semi-final.
• "I think we know them very well," said French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. "But they know us very well," said director Didier Deschamps: "It's an advantage of two sides. They can enjoy one another. But during the match, everyone will be on his side.
• Belgium are without Thomas Meunier, an important (but not necessarily flashy) member of his team, he took his second yellow card against Brazil and is suspended France recovers Blaise Matuidi after serving his own ban in the quarterfinals
• Tottenham Hotspur has as many players remaining in the World Cup (nine) as the entire Bundesliga and one more than Italy. action today: Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen and Mousa Dembélé for Belgium and Hugo Lloris for France The Dutchman Nacer Chadli also spent time with the Spurs
• France won the World Cup in 1998 , and returned to the finals in 2006. Belgium is only in the semifinal for the second time, it lost at this stage in 1986.
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• Today's winner will face the England-Croatia winner in Sunday's final in Moscow. The loser may stay in St. Petersburg, which will host the match for third place Saturday.
• France is the favorite to qualify for the final, but it is very close: the odds of bookmakers are 54% likely winner. Bookmakers have many other opinions too: the over / under is 2.5 goals. At the corners, it is 10. The player most likely to score the first goal is Antoine Griezmann, of France (6-1), followed by Romelu Lukaku, of Belgium (7-1) and Kylian Mbappe, of France (8-1). The time to stop was filled with goals
23 goals were scored in the 90th minute and during the second half of the World Cup, breaking the previous record of 14, established Four years ago. Brazil.
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Some Readings of Pregame
• The right-back of France, Benjamin Pavard, had a solid tournament and scored a magnificent goal against Argentina. But his game is where the Belgian Eden Hazard likes to work, and that could be his biggest test yet.
• Nearly half – 40 out of 92 – remaining World Cup players. Jonathan Lieuw looks into what this means, why people should not give too much credit to the league at the moment.
• Shameless flattery, dubious fluidity and warm ovations: Sarah Lyall wrote about the glorious stew and grand theater that is the World Cup. press conference
• Why do all World Cup players put their hand in the head after a near collision? It turns out that there is a psychological explanation.
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