A Giant Clash Deserving of the World Cup 2018 Final!

France vs Belgium

If you told any decent football fan in May that the World Cup 2018 final would be between France and Belgium, no one would bat an eye. Both nations are powerhouses in international football with talented players that are finding success in the best football leagues in the world. If anything, the question of consistency are the only things stopping the two from ever meeting in the final.

However, the football gods have deemed these two giants to clash in the semi-final. As much as any football fan would want these two to make it to the final, the rules deem only one of them as worthy of reaching the final and being a victory away from touching and bringing the World Cup home.

There are questions that are begging to be asked, and this piece will try to attempt some of those. Which man should we look out for? How will each of the sides conduct their attacks? Will Didier Deschamps finally end the World Cup drought of Les Bleus? Or will Belgium’s Golden Generation live up to their name and make it to their first-ever World Cup final?

Talking Points

France have done brilliantly to make it this far in the competition, comfortably beating Argentina and Uruguay in the earlier rounds of the knockout stage. However, there are still questions lingering above the team Deschamps has built can get them to the final and, finally, to the Promised Land.

Sure, Les Bleus have defeated impressive monsters in Argentina and Uruguay, but both of those games come with great asterisks.

The Lionel Messi-led Albiceleste were simply disorganised and left a lot of spaces for the pacey Kylian Mbappe and the rest of the French XI to operate. Meanwhile, Uruguay didn’t have their talismanic strike partnership at full-strength as Edinson Cavani sat out of his country’s quarter-final defeat.

Add in France’s World Cup 2018 results in the group stage, and you have a group that hasn’t done much when it comes to erasing the cynics’ scepticism. They have the good fortune of facing opponents that aren’t at the top of their game.

However, that won’t be the case anymore when these two sides meet at the Saint Petersburg Stadium. Belgium were top-billed as favourites to lift the trophy, and they haven’t done anything to betray the expectations set upon them.

The country’s “Golden Generation” has done nothing but wow their supporters and the neutrals that come to see their games. Save for the bore 1-0 win against England, the Red Devils have done nothing but score goals.

Their second-half comeback against Japan was nothing short of impressive, and their world-class domination over Brazil highlighted the best of Belgium’s attacking and defending capabilities. Any questions about the nation’s ability to perform when it matters were quickly left in the dust after these two games were played.

Thierry Henry and Belgium are preparing for the World Cup 2018 semi-final match against France — Belgium assistant coach Thierry Henry takes part in a training session of the Red Devils

French legend Thierry Henry finds himself in a weird place for this match. France’s all-time leading scorer and second-most capped player was on the bench as a 21-year-old when he saw Deschamps the player lead Les Bleus to their only World Cup victory. He is currently coaching for Belgium, teaching Romelu Lukaku how to score goals and be effective on the attacking end of the pitch.

If you want players to watch out for, I can give you a couple of names.

Paul Pogba’s laser passes could see Kylian Mbappe dashing past the Belgian defence. Antoine Griezmann is also a danger man that must be accounted for by Belgium gaffer Roberto Martinez. N’Golo Kante is the consistent workhouse that will connect the French attack and defence.

Opposite them are equally talented players. Lukaku is the second-best scorer in the tournament with his haul of four goals. Eden Hazard has time and time again reminded everyone why he is Belgium’s No 10. Kevin De Bruyne is a magician with the ball. Vincent Kompany is leading a terrifying defensive line.

History

These neighbours have met 73 times in international friendlies and major tournaments, only adding fuel and hype to this much-anticipated match. Belgium are currently leading the head-to-head tally with their 30 wins compared to France’s 24. Their last meeting was in a 2015 friendly, where the French failed to make a late comeback and fall to the Belgians, 3-4.

The French have reached the semi-finals four times, the first one being in 1958. Their last foray in the semi-finals was in 2006 when they saw Portugal off with an effort from Zinedine Zidane.

Belgium, meanwhile, haven’t had much success when it comes to the World Cup. They finished fourth in the 1986 tournament but have not made it back to the semi-finals since then. Their closest brush with the semi-finals prior to this tournament was in 2014. They were seen out by Messi and Argentina in the quarter-finals.

What are the odds?

SBOBET has interesting World Cup 2018 odds if you’re looking to make this meaningful match a lucrative one.

Both teams have outstanding players, and goals are not far from happening. If you’re looking for a sure quick gain, Over 2.50 Goals is an easy grab at 2.17 odds. However, Over 1.00 Goals in the First Half Over-Under market is a more lucrative buy at 2.25.

Both Lukaku and Griezmann are ready for the clash between Belgium and France in the semi-finals of World Cup 2018 — Strikers Romelu Lukaku and Antoine Griezmann are set to face each other in the World Cup 2018 semi-final match between France and Belgium

If you value consistency in a football team, you’re better off betting with Belgium. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Red Devils overcome the potent French attack with a solid defensive display akin to what they showed against Brazil. Belgium is a must-grab at 2.79 1X2 odds.

However, if you love seeing brilliant football, then France is worth a look. I still have question marks over their ability to show up against really strong opposition, but they have proven in this World Cup that they have to talent to get them through. Look at the Asian Handicap market: France -0.50 @ 2.53 is a hard one to miss.

Betting Tip

	France vs Belgium	First Half Over 1.00 @ 2.25
	June 11, 02:00 (GMT+8)

To be honest, it’s a hard pick on whether France or Belgium will make it to the World Cup final as both teams have quality players that can make a difference.

For France, Pogba’s superb passes from way back in the midfield could affect the odds greatly for Les Bleus. However, his inconsistency makes him a source of concern in my part. Meanwhile, I’m not sure if the Belgian defence can hold a candle against Mbappe’s blitzing pace with full confidence.

If there’s one thing I’m sure about, it’s that St. Petersburg will see goals. I’m so confident of their scoring ability that I won’t be surprised if this game went to penalties after a thrilling 3-3 score.