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Forwards: 22 Nacer Chadli (West Brom), 9 Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United)
How they got here
Belgium is the only team left on the field with five World Cup victories this summer . France tied Denmark in the group stage and England lost to Belgium. Croatia left the field with the impression of being a winner in every match, but it progressed on two consecutive shootouts, but it was simply a break in equality: the two games were officially registered as draws.
France scored nine goals and capitulated three. Belgium scored 14 points, boosted by big wins over Panama (3-0) and Tunisia (5-2) in the group stage, but it was not so stingy in the back. He gave up five goals in Russia.
Thierry Henry on the other side
The presence of former France player Thierry Henry on the Belgian bench tonight will be a bit embarrassing. Henry was a teammate with Deschamps in the winning team of the World Cup in their country in 1998. Now in the early stages of a coaching career, he works as assistant manager of Belgium , Roberto Martinez. "I had the chance to play with him for two years in the France team," said Hugo Lloris. "It's true that it's a bit odd to see him with the Belgian team, but that's his career and it's like that he's learning his Future career .I think his heart will be divided tomorrow, because he remains French through everything. "
How Belgium was built
Some see Belgium's turn to the semi-finals as a validation of how it has changed its player development system. 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, is a reminder to be careful when trying to replicate any model in a country different.
Belgium's attack on France
Roméo Lukaku, Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne are perhaps the best offensive trio remaining in the tournament, and they asked serious questions to each team in the knockouts. France 's ability to disrupt them before as they enter 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 that Belgium has recently passed 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 matches will be 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 in the middle of the field; 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 is 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 finds Blaise Matuidi after being whitened in the quarter-finals.
• Tottenham Hotspur has as many players in the World Cup (nine) as the entire Bundesliga and one more than in Serie A. Four Spurs players could see the action today. : Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen and Mousa Dembélé for Belgium and Hugo Lloris for France. Dutchman Nacer Chadli also spent time with the Spurs
• France won the World Cup in 1998 and returned to the final in 2006. Belgium is in the semi-finals only for the second time ; he lost at this stage in 1986.
• 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 tight: the odds of bookmakers are 54% likely winner. Bookmakers have many other opinions too: the over / under is 2.5 goals. At the corners there are 10. The most likely player 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 the second half of the World Cup, breaking the previous record of 14, established four times years Brazil.
Some pre-game readings
• The right-back of the French formation, Benjamin Pavard, had a good tournament and scored a magnificent goal against Argentina . But his part of the pitch 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 at what that means, why people should not give the league too much credit.
• Shameless flattery, dubious fluidity and warm ovations: Sarah Lyall wrote about the glorious stew and the great 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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