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Andrew Das: Giroud really missed Mbappé on this last center. He came back late and watched as the young striker ran toward a straddling ball, but it only seemed late to realize, "You know, it could cross – oh no." And when he realized, he was a step.
33: Giroud Goes Down
The first of what we expect will be many penalty calls in the game as Giroud collapses. The referee does not have it. Then Griezmann retrieves the ball and shoots with his right foot missed and misses.
32: Hazard and De Bruyne Playing with France
Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne look like the two best players on the field. Hazard just dodged Pavard and Pogba, but the ball was deployed just before he could control it again, but if he continues to dribble like that, he is sure to ". get a goal or help
Andrew Das: in so much of what Belgium does up – crosses, corners – but only with her head. It's as if his teammates do not pass the ball to his feet. But he plays very advanced, just a step or two behind Lukaku, and apparently he is in charge of winning heads and, failing that, to break the French attacks before he can start. As soon as he does one or the other, he goes in search of Pogba
32: Another Miss for France
Antoine Griezmann takes the free kick for France. He sends the ball to Pavoud, who hits the ball with his head.
29: Umtiti saves France!
Samuel Umtiti saves France. Kevin De Bruyne passes the ball just below the net and Romelu Lukaku is right there for the punch but Umtiti slips and moves to the last change
26: Fellaini vs. Pogba
Fellaini and Pogba are actually attached to the hip, which is probably not quite new to one or the other of them because it probably happens to the training in Manchester United a little. But Belgium will take this Cold War every day; Pogba is a much more dangerous player when he comes off. But he can not come off, and when Fellaini the body, he does not seem to like it. Which can be precisely the point to do it.
25 & # 39 ;: Fellaini in the right place
First corner for France (Belgium has four). Felliani moves away easily
23: France Counterattack
Another long pass halfway, and this time Olivier Giroud is there for France. He rushes for it, does not understand everything, and it goes far.
Kevin Draper: It's quite surprising how much France started this game. They have as many world strikers as Belgium and a defense anchored by the pillars of Real Madrid and Barcelona, and yet they seem to have already recognized that Belgium is the best team.
22 & # 39;; Belgium Firing Away [19659020] Off another corner, Toby Alderweireld scores at the penalty spot. His shot from the left is hit by a corner kick from Hugo Lloris, which is worthless
Andrew Das: Belgium has approached four times in the last five minutes – the last on Alderweireld the corner that Lloris was lucky to rescue with a dive. The first 20 minutes were very entertaining, but 90% of the score was recorded by Belgium. It may not be the right thing that France has done so far.
20: Scare for France
De Bruyne tries a small pass from Felliani, who is right beside the offsides, although the flag does not go up. Lloris takes it after a moment of terror for France
19: Varane Saves One
Eden Hazard shoots a shot at the outside post from inside the box, but Raphael Varane has barely taken the lead
18 "France shoots, but Courtois is here
Blaise Matuidi, back in France for this match, shoots a shot off the surface that forces Courtois to make a stop.
Andrew Das: This was a Matuidi rocket, and a great sign for France. But he hits Courtois in the gloves. But once again, Belgium is back at the other end of the line in a few seconds, with Hazard sending a Varane shot on the crossbar behind a beaten Lloris.
16: Hazard Misses
On an interception, Kevin De Bruyne plays a quick shot from Eden Hazard in the penalty box and he's not scored. But Hazard hits the wide right! Good luck.
Kevin Draper: Belgium and France had their best chances of the match in the final minutes, and perhaps not coincidentally both came quickly after the turnarounds. It could be a match to put pressure intentionally to attract midfielders before returning to the counterattack.
14 & # 39; De Bruyne loses a
Kevin De Bruyne just attacked the French defense at full speed, but a lack of communication with Romelu Lukaku caused a turnaround and ruined the game. ;opportunity.
13: Pogba finds Mbappe
A half long balloon of Paul Pogba finds Kylian Mbappe, and he has a length ahead of his man. But Courtois slips to catch him just in time.
Andrew Das: Belgium in a flowing formation, with Witsel and Dembele protecting the three backs, and Chadli falling to eight at the back when France has the ball and he has time
10 & # 39 ;: France Flickers
A rare adventure of Griezmann and France gives life to their fans – but only briefly, since Kompany passes the first sign of danger with a powerful head. And back at the other end, let's go …
Kevin Draper: Both teams showed ruthless counterattack prowess in this tournament, and every attack seems so cautious in throwing numbers ahead. Belgium patiently examines the French defense, Axel Witsel and Mousa Dembele staying home to protect their three backs.
9: Belgium is the best side at the moment
The defeat of Belgium has been frank and prolific up to now. France spends long periods without touching the ball.
6: Corner for Belgium
The corner of Nacer Chadli is a bit too strong and exceeds the head of his teammates
4: Belgium retains possession
by a few minutes from Belgium trying everything he wants on the right.
1: Mbappe makes a statement
It took all five seconds Mbappe to drop Vertonghen as a bad penny, run down the wing and flash into a believe that almost met Griezmann in the wake. Great departure for France
Coup de sending to St. Petersburg
Belgium in red, France in blue
Feeling like Nostradamus
You can bet on the exact score of the match (after 90 minutes) . The favorite is 1-1, followed by 1-0 France, 0-0, 2-1 France, 1-0 Belgium and 2-1 Belgium. Remember that regulation time will end at 4-4 or higher? If you're right, you'll be rewarded with a 400-1 win.
Yellow cards are eliminated
The yellow cards were eliminated after the quarter-finals, so whoever chooses one today would still eligible to play in the Sunday final. A red card, however, is a different story;
The starting line of France
France remains faithful to what works: Pavard-Varane-Umtiti-Hernandez at the back, protected by Kanté and Pogba as needed. Matuidi, Griezmann and Mbappé will be swirling around Giroud, who goes alone
Goalkeeper: 1 Hugo Lloris (Tottenham)
Defenders: 21 Lucas Hernandez (Atletico Madrid), 2 Benjamin Pavard (Stuttgart), 5 Samuel Umtiti (Barcelona), 4 Raphael Varane (Real Madrid)
Midfielders: 13 N 'Golo Kante (Chelsea), 14 Blaise Matuidi (Juventus), 6 Paul Pogba (Manchester United)
Forwards: 9 Olivier Giroud (Chelsea), 7 Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), 10 Kylian Mbappe (Paris St-Germain)
Belgium at the top of the ranking
Belgium remains faithful to what works: Fellaini leaves with Witsel and Mousa Dembélé, flanked by Nacer Chadli and De Bruyne. Hazard and Lukaku on the front, and the same three back line that brought them to here: Vertonghen, Kompany and Alderweireld
Goalkeeper: 1 Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea)
Defenders: 2 Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham), 4 Vincent Kompany (Manchester City), 5 Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham)
Midfielder: 7 Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City), 19 Mousa Dembele (Tottenham), 8 Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United), 10 Eden Hazard (Chelsea), 6 Axel Witsel (Tianjin Quanjian)
Forwards: 22 Nacer Chadli (West Brom), 9 Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United)
Belgium is more accurate
The Belgium attack was prolific, shooting 85 times, just behind Brazil. France has shot only 56 times, lagging behind the eliminated countries like Spain, Germany and Mexico. The shots from Belgium were also more accurate: 39% of shots on goal against 34% in France
Belgium's Winning Streak
Belgium lost their first match under Roberto Martinez in Spain in August 2016 and is undefeated in 24 since [19victoires].
The role of Kevin De Bruyne
The fortune of Belgium and the contributions of Kevin De Bruyne have increased in tandem since the Red Devils beat Japan, 2-0, in the round of 16. Faced with Elimination and the need for a goal, Roberto Martinez sent Marouane Fellaini into a defensive midfielder role – to make fun of social media – and pushed De Bruyne into the more offensive role that he had. he has a habit of playing. The result was a return win, and the change became the plan from the start against Brazil, leading to a goal from De Bruyne and the victory that sent the Belgians to St. Petersburg.
"My role changes all the time," said De Bruyne on Monday, adding, "For the semifinal this may change, I do not know yet, but I think it's okay. to be. "
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 peloton as a winner in every game, but it progressed on two shots on goal, but that was only a break from the tie: both games were officially registered as draws.
France vs. Belgium: goals
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 the former French star Thierry Henry on the Belgian bench tonight will be a little 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 qualify for the semi-finals as a validation of its development system and 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, is a reminder to be careful when trying to replicate any model in a country different.
Belgium's attack against France and Kevin De Bruyne is 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 stop of Belgium will not be a work of man alone
The Belgians Slow Mbappé and Griezmann
Kylian Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann will pose a test of attack as formidable as that which Belgium 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 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 in 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 also unclear today: 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 being whitened in quarters
• 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 it. action today: Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen and Mousa Dembélé for Belgium and Hugo Lloris for France The Belgian Nacer Chadli also spent time in 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 close: the odds of bookmakers are 54% likely winner. Bookmakers have many other opinions too: the over / under is 2.5 goals. The player most likely to score the first goal is Antoine Griezmann (6-1), followed by Romelu Lukaku (7-1) and Kylian Mbappe (8-1). The time off was filled with goals
There were 23 goals scored in the 90th minute and in the second half of the World Cup, breaking the previous record of 14, established four years ago Brazil.
Some Readings of Pregame
• The right-back of the French formation, Benjamin Pavard, had an excellent tournament and scored a magnificent goal against Argentina. But his part of the pitch is where the Belgian Eden Hazard likes to work, and this could pose 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 yet.
• Shameless flattery, dubious fluidity and warm ovations: Sarah Lyall wrote about the glorious stew and 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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