What links France and Belgium

France and Belgium face the first finalist of this World Cup on Tuesday in St. Petersburg. Many protagonists of both teams know each other about the daily life of the league and have a link with the opponent.

The photo made in the days preceding the first semi-final of the World Cup. As Eden Hazard and her two brothers Thorgan and Kylian 2000 pose in photos on family holidays, all wearing a football shirt bearing the number 10. But this is not the Belgian national jersey that wears the three brothers, but the French, Zinédine Zidane's

When Belgium plays for the World Cup final on Tuesday in Saint Petersburg for the second time since 1986, Eden Hazard leads Belgium as captain in the # 10 jersey. 27-year-old player has a special relationship with France. Cultivated a few kilometers from the French border, Hazard moved at the age of 14 to the junior department of the OSC Lille, where he signed his first professional contract two years later. After winning the Double 2011 and being the best player in Ligue 1 (2011/2012), he left France in 2012 for Chelsea in London

Hazard symbolizes the many similarities between the two semifinalists. "It's an unusual match," said French captain Hugo Lloris. "We are neighbors and we know each other better than others." Twelve players will meet a teammate of the club's daily routine on Tuesday. Belgian defensemen Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen will listen to Lloris' orders at Tottenham Hotspur, with Eden Hazard, Thibaut Courtois, Olivier Giroud and N Golo Kanté on each side, two Chelsea players each in the starting lineup. And also at Paris Saint-Germain are four players from both teams under contract, with the Belgian Thomas Meunier is locked.

Thierry Henry as a missing piece of the puzzle

The role takes Thierry Henry. The French record holder (51 goals) with the second highest number of international appearances of "Les Bleus" (123) is part of the team of coaches of the Belgians. "He brought what was missing: the experience of winning a big title," said Belgian coach Roberto Martinez of his famous assistant. "It's the perfect piece of the puzzle we miss."

French coach Didier Deschamps looks forward to meeting with his former colleague from the national team, with whom he won in 1998 the only world title for France and two years later also won the European title. This was certainly not an easy situation for him, said Deschamps. Although Henry has often played with French Arsenal against French teams, "but to compete with his homeland, but still has a very different meaning."

Kanté

A key role in the duel N & # 39; Golo Kanté joins the two best offensive teams of this World Cup. The French defensive midfielder must do what Brazil did not do for one hour in the quarterfinals: stop the Belgian transfer match. Kevin de Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku overload Brazil's defense again and again with their tempo strikes

Kanté plays a strong World Cup and makes Part of the categories Ball wins, conquers balls and won duels in the top 5 of this tournament. For balance within a team, the 27 year old player with Malian roots is indispensable. "He is the best player in the world in this position," said Eden Hazard in "The Team," his teammate Chelsea. "If he's in the lead, you win 95% of the game."

The duel between Hazard and Kanté is only one of the many revolutionary duels of the game, the Belgian defensive passing to another test of attack. France has at least as much talent on the offensive as Brazil. Cross Martinez with his clever tactics to stop Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappé and Olivier Giroud after Neymar, Philippe Coutinho and Gabriel Jesus. "For the team and all of Belgium, it's a unique opportunity," said the Spaniard. (sda / vom)