France, Belgium, Croatia, England: An amazing quartet for the world star – 2018 World Cup – Football

France, the only regular

Their past in half: 5 participations

Who would have bet that? As crazy as it may seem, France is the most experienced semifinalist in the last four. Crazy, yes, because we expected to find at this stage at least one cador of the football world: Brazil or Germany. But, in 2018, the revolution hit the World Cup and France, from the top of its past five semi-finals is already an ogre compared to the rest of the plateau. The record is less exciting: 3 defeats (1958, 1982, 1986), 2 victories (1998, 2006).
      

The moment that changed everything: 11 minutes to take away Argentina

Saturday, June 30th. At the beginning of the second period, the Blues are not at best in this round of 16 against Argentina. Led 2-1, they will then blow a wind of madness to pulverize the dreams of Lionel Messi and his own. Eleven minutes and three goals, a jewel of Pavard and a doubled of Mbappé. If the Blues drop a second star next Sunday, these eleven minutes will have been a major chapter in the Russian novel team Deschamps.
      

Mr. Indispensable: N'Golo Kanté

Here the question does not even arise. It is not a leader with the assertive character, it is not the one who will capsize the Hexagon on a shot in the skylight or a magical magic. But it is the most essential. It's simple, all alone or almost, it balances the eleven Didier Deschamps.
      

To see again: the Mondial de Griezmann

For the moment, it is the only shadow on the board. Statistically, nothing to say, Antoine Griezmann is on time in this World (3 goals, 1 assist decisive). But this is not the "key player" of Euro 2016 where his XXL performances had brought the Blues to the final. That France is there without a Griezmann still on top is almost reassuring.
      

The key figure: 26 years

As the average age of the 23 Blues on this World Cup. This is the youngest team of this World Cup and we often tend to forget it. All the same, these young Blues have never farted the shots in front of teams yet able to make a break.
      

The question: What is the identity of this team?

Vast problematic than defining these Blues. Able to fire against Argentina to finally keep a cool head against Uruguay. And what about this phase of chickens so sluggish but mathematically perfect, or almost? It's simple, these Blues do not seem to have a clear gene pool. But that's ultimately what defines them best. It has been constantly repeated but this team of France is the image of his coach and his word totem focused on the art of playing: pragmatism. These Blues adapt. For the best for now. It remains to be seen if the worst is yet to come …
      

Belgium, first prize

Their past half

It is a long-awaited return. Eden Hazard and co offer the Plat Pays its first semifinal in a World Cup since June 25, 1986, one night when Diego Maradona had showered the Belgian dreams of a double. But so far, the main feat of the Red Devils on the international stage is a European Championship final in 1980.
      

The moment that changed everything: The changes of Martínez against Japan

          Roberto Martínez had a hollow nose. By launching Marouane Fellaini and Nacer Chadli in the 65th minute against Japan in the 8th, the coach of Belgium has changed the situation. The Belgians were then led 0-2. Nine minutes later, they tied (2-2) on a Fellaini goal. And in added time, it was Chadli who sent his team in quarters (3-2).
      

Mr. Indispensable: Romelu Lukaku

Upon his arrival, Martínez made an indisputable one of his starting lineup. Since then, he's crazy about statistics. In Russia, it is just indispensable. With his physique, Romelu Lukaku cleans the enemy defenses. It also brings depth to the Red Devils. And its efficiency is a great asset to this Belgian selection. The giant Manchester United is already four goals and a pass. And we must not forget his sense of purpose brilliant on the third Belgian achievement against Japan. Clearly, it is the ideal complement of the conductors, Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne.
      

A review: Vincent Kompany

He was not reassuring against Japan for his first tenure of the competition. But against Brazil, we found the Kompany cutting edge and effective in the air. To him to confirm. Because Belgium needs a big Kompany to go after his dreams.
      

Key figure: 14

Belgium is running at full speed. This is the best attack of the tournament with 14 goals in 5 matches.
      

The question: Is the golden generation of Belgium unblocked?

Belgium holds its semi-final. Finally for this generation so talented. It is a relief for an entire nation, which is now awaiting consecration. It will also be a mental question. Belgians seem more mature. The quarter against Brazil has demonstrated, even if the scenario has helped the Red Devils. But Hazard, De Bruyne and Kompany will have to answer for their first international half.
      

Croatia, to the good memory of 1998

Their past in half

For a As young nation, playing two World Cup semifinals in twenty years is no small feat. In 1998, Suker's Croatia, Boban and Prosinecki had even believed very strongly in the final, and without the most unlikely double in history, that would probably have been the case. Outsider against the Blues twenty years ago, they will be much less this time of their half against England.
      

The moment that changed everything: The demonstration against Argentina

We thought they were outsiders or even headhunters. But this June 21, under the eyes of the planet football, the band Modric has offered a demonstration in mondovision. In the form of humiliation for Argentina's Lionel Messi. A 3-0 spanking and a clear impression: this Croatia was much more than an outsider.
      

Mr. Indispensable: Luka Modric

With N'Golo Kanté, there is a match to know which of the two is the best midfield of this World Cup so far. Captain and master of this team, he even added a string to his bow already disproportionate being decisive in the group phase (2 goals). But it is also his attitude that should be highlighted. After failing the penalty in the 116th minute against Denmark (1-1), he did not run to turn his shot on goal. Before putting his side against Croatia (2-2).
      

To see again: The fun of winning

It's paradoxical. After its first perfect lap, Croatia found themselves in a loose game, especially after the Spanish elimination. But against Denmark and Russia, two teams on which it has a level of undeniable level, the Croats seemed hesitant. Not sure of them. And shook like never before going to the penalty shootout. To get out of it. Nevertheless, it will not be necessary to have the arm that shakes in half.
      

Key figure: 2

Qualified on penalties against the Danes and Russians, the Croats are the first in the history of the World Cup to reach the last four by concatenating two qualifications in these conditions . Only one other team had won two penalty shoot-outs at the same World Cup. It was Argentina in 1990. But in Italy, Diego Maradona's Albiceleste had won two sessions in the quarter (Yugoslavia) and then half (Italy).
      

The question: Will Croatia pay for its two marathon matches?

Penalties against Denmark. Shots on goal against Russia. The Croats certainly had the luxury of running in their third group match, but they may have left a lot of gum in their eighth and quarterfinals. Especially as the debauchery of physical energy is added a possible nervous fatigue. Modric's missed penalty against the Danes, the chase with the Russians this Saturday … the two extra time played by Dalic's men were also psychologically demanding. It remains to be seen whether the euphoria of victory can erase all this, against England also passed by shots on goal in the eighth, but who was able to better manage his effort against Sweden.
      

England, the ghost

Their past in half

Of all the world champions, none has appeared so infrequently in the last four. Outside of its home title in 1966, England had played before only one other semifinal, lost against Germany in Turin in 1990. So it is a rare commodity for the Three Lions, to enjoy like it should be.
      

The moment that changed everything: The penalty shoot-out against Colombia

Germany 1990. Germany 1996. Argentina 1998. Portugal 2004. Portugal 2006. Italy 2012. Six times, England had seen its destiny shatter during a penalty shoot-out in less than a quarter of a century. A real national trauma. The victory in this exercise against Colombia in the round of 16 was thus experienced as a liberation. Psychologically, it made them crazy.
      

Mr. Indispensable: Jordan Pickford

Nobody would have imagined it five days ago, but Jordan Pickford is our man in this category. Yes, Harry Kane is the top scorer of this World Cup. The gunner of the Spurs remains unavoidable and indispensable in his own way. But in two games, Pickford has emerged as the most Sir of the Southgate team. More than any other, he weighed in the qualifications against Colombia and Sweden. He exudes a confidence that reflects on all the English selection. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the best goalkeeper of this World Cup may be English, even if the competition is tough …
      

A review: Dele Alli

Since its debut in selection at the autumn 2015 at age 19, he is expected as the little marvel of English football. But Dele Alli struggles to express himself in this World Cup. His goal in the quarterfinal against Sweden should do him a good fool, but he himself acknowledged that, although he scored, his performance was lacking relief. If it manages to go up in this last week, England will be all the more dangerous.
      

Key figure: 8

The number of goals scored on kicks set by England. A really deadly weapon in this tournament.
      

The question: Is England really ready to become world champion?

If she regains a certain standing on the occasion of this World Cup, England still benefited from a relatively mild course to reach the semifinals, with a Colombia deprived of his master to play James Rodriguez and Sweden worn by his intense battles of the first round. It has not yet faced a huge customer, and if Croatia has stammered for two games, it is a notch above the Cafeteros and Nordiques. The hardest is coming, so for Gareth Southgate's team, it's more like a formation in the making with a lot of things still young. In a higher context, one would be tempted to think that it is still early for its time to come. But this 2018 World Cup seems open to "dégagisme".
      

By Glenn CEILLIER, Cyril MORIN and Laurent VERGNE