FIFA World Cup Semifinal: France vs. Belgium
Published July 10, 2018 by Sol FH
The first of the two 2018 World Cup semifinals gets underway tonight at 19:00 GMT from Saint Petersburg Stadium.
It would have been darn near impossible to predict that these two teams would be facing each other in this year's World Cup semifinal, but, it is a good thing that they are meeting as France and Belgium are two of the strongest teams in this year's competition. It was a tough road to get here, but they have done it. Belgium has been on a tear, winning every match in the World Cup. Aside from a draw with Denmark during the Group Stage, France has also beaten each of its World Cup rivals, but, for one of these teams, the winning stops tonight!
Belgium Road to the Semifinals
Belgium was in Group G with Tunisia, Panama, and England. They started with a match against Panama, which ended in a 3-0 win and stunning goals from Dries Martin, and a pair from Romelu Lukako. Their next game was against Tunisia, and that game was a goal roadshow, ending 5-2 for Belgium. Eden Hazard scored twice, Lukako added another two goals, and, Michy Batshuayi put in a goal in the '90 minute to end things off. Their final Group Stage match could be replayed in the World Cup Final against England, pending Belgium beats France and England beats Croatia. Belgium beat England 1-0 to end the Group Stage as the Group G winners.
Belgium then moved into the Round of 16 and faced Japan, which will be a match forever to be remembered. Japan scored two goals, the first in the '48 minute and the second in the '52nd. Belgium would not give up and scored their first in the '69 minute, followed up by the equalizer in the '74, and a last minute winner in the '90+4 just before the whistle blew. It was an incredible match. In the quarterfinals, Belgium was the underdog and faced off against World Cup favorites, Brazil. The Brazilians played an incredible game, but in the end, Belgium won 2-1 despite a barrage of Brazilian attacks in the dying minutes of the game.
France Road to Semifinals
The French team has been one of the most exciting teams to watch this year. After winning their Group, (Group C), France has upped the ante and are playing incredibly well. They opened up the tournament with a 2-1 win over Australia, with a penalty shot by Antoine Griezmann, and an own goal by Aziz Behich. Their next match was against Peru and Kylian Mbappe, one of the stars of this year's competition put in a fantastic goal to end 1-0. France's last game in the Group was a draw 0-0 against Denmark, but they played very well.
In the Round of 16, France overcame the odds and beat Argentina 4-3. Goals by Griezmann, a pair from Mbappe, and a goal from Benjamin Pavard were enough to stop Messi and Co. The quarterfinals were easier against Uruguay, as France won 2-0 to set up tonight's semifinal.
World Cup Semifinal
Tonight France and Belgium will go head to head, and it should be an outstanding match. One more win and it means a World Cup Finals' berth. bet365 Sports has France as outright favorites at 2.45, while Belgium is at 3.20. It should be known that almost every game, Belgium has been underrated and have come out on top, and the feeling is that they will do the same tonight against France. A draw after 90 minutes will make 3.25.
