[ad_1]
EMMANUEL DUNAND / Getty Images
2018 FIFA World Cup following the conclusion of the quarterfinals Saturday in Russia.
France and Belgium had already secured themselves in the semifinals with victories Friday. England and Croatia followed Saturday, with the second-hand penalty penalties to defeat Russia.
World Cup 2018 Schedule
Tuesday, July 11
Belgium at 2 p.m. ET, 7 pp. BST (Fox, ITV)
Wednesday, July 12
England at 2 pm ET, 7 pm BST (Fox, BBC)
Saturday, July 14
Third-place playoff at 10 am ET, 3 pm BST (Fox, ITV)
Sunday, July 15
Final World Cup at 11 am ET, 4 pm BST (Fox, BBC, ITV)
Semifinals Preview
Belgium
JEWEL SAMAD / Getty Images
When Belgium hired Roberto Martinez in 2016, it looked like they were wasting the talents of their golden generation with another lackluster coach. But the Red Devils are one of their first World Cup final.
Martinez is not merely relying on the power of his disposal. His tactics played a big role in Belgium's 2-1 defeat of Brazil in the quarterfinals.
Even going back to the 2014 World Cup, Belgium have had the quality on the pitch to win a major title, and the Brazil match might have been a turning point. It's hard to envision Marc Wilmots orchestrating a performance like Martinez did Friday.
On the other side, France coach Didier Deschamps has not earned many plaudits with the way his team has played:
Miguel Delaney @ MiguelDelaney
Really is alchemy from Deschamps to make a team with this flamboyant talent this dull. An act of genius.
After years of being involved in the world of the world. 1 to Argentina in the round of 16. Instead, the French scored a full-blown competition. They came up with a 2-0 win over Uruguay in which Fernando Muslera provided a helping hand, but they still never looked in serious danger.
Of the four teams left in the tournament, France have arguably looked the strongest. The winner of this match will be in the final World Cup.
England
Shaun Botterill / Getty Images
Croatia survived Saturday, but it came back to a clear physical cost Sime Vrsaljko was limping to the left in the 97th minute Danijel Subasic appeared to be battling bad cramping in
Both of Croatia's knockout-stage matches went to penalties Not only does this add up to an hour of game time, but there's no telling what kind of the stress of the back-to-back penalty shootout
Croatia do not play again until Wednesday, but stamina will likely be an issue when they take over England in the semifinals:
Maximiliano Bretos @ mbretosESPN
Injuries, extra time .. England be like .. #WorldCup https://t.co/aJt7kS6zWv
Huw Davies @ thehuwdavies
Could this team play football and beat this Croatia team, they're so t ired
Irvine Welsh @ IrvineWelsh
Croatia players looking like they've already lost it. Thought they would be a tougher test for England on the strength of the rounds but bottle and stamina suspect look at the tournament gets to the business
The idea of the World Cup "coming home" to England has become a same, But the three Lions have a certain charmed life in the 2018 World Cup.
They opened the tournament with an injury-time winner against Tunisia. Their 1-0 defeat to Belgium knocked them down to the easiest half of the draw. And they finally won a penalty shootout at the World Cup after dropping their first three.
England players have often succumbed to the weight of history. Many players in this country have failed to overcome the national team, though. Sure, there was the 2-1 defeat to Iceland at UEFA Euro 2016, but the move to coach Gareth Southgate represented a clean slate.
While losing in the World Cup semifinal can never be considered a disappointment, England may never have a better luck to return to the World Cup final and lift the trophy for a second time.
[ad_2]
Source link
