There’s your answer: From front to back, France has the best blend of talent at this World Cup. That’s not to deride Croatia or England, it’s just a question that was very obviously going to be settled in this particular semifinal. Could the “magic” propel either of those nations beyond France in the final? As Steven Gerrard would say, yeeeaah course — Portugal did it.
France is back in the World Cup final for the third time in the past six tournaments after a 1-0 victory over Belgium on Tuesday in Saint Petersburg. While there was just one goal in the France vs Belgium highlights, there was incredible action from two of the most entertaining teams in Russia this summer.
France made its first trip to the World Cup final in 1998 as host. Les Bleus returned in 2006 when Zinedine Zidane’s head butt ended their chances against Italy. Now France will play either England or Croatia in the final on Sunday in Moscow.
Throughout the entirety of the France vs Belgium semifinal, you could do nothing but watch and wonder when Eden Hazard and Kylian Mbappe got on the ball. How is it possible that these two are this good? The pair's simply unplayable when on form, and both have clearly been at their best in Russia.
In the first half, Hazard went off on a terrorizing run after doing in Benjamin Pavard. His flurry of feet to then ruin Pavard again and drift inside Paul Pogba was poetry in motion.
After Croatia’s 4-3 penalty shootout against Russia, Croatia assistant coach Ognjen Vukojevic and defender Domagoj Vida celebrated with a politically charged video tweeted by Vukojevic. Both of their Twitter accounts are currently deactivated.
Although the video seems like it’s only two guys who forgot the phone was recording while taking a selfie and then tried to play it cool, “Slava Ukrayini” (Glory to Ukraine) wasn’t received that well by Russian fans. Especially since the World Cup is in Russia, if you haven’t noticed, which adds more fuel to the fire.
We made it. Games 61 and 62 are upon us with a spot in the 2018 World Cup final on the line. All tournament, France has gotten by doing excatly what they've needed to do to win. It hasn't been the flash and glamour that we expected but it's working. Meanwhile, Belgium will look to capitalize off their history victory over Brazil. Then on Wednesday, the Three Lions will look to end the Croatia run and make their first World Cup final appearance since 1966 when the won the tournament.
As recognized by his 2017 Golden Boy award and current standing as the second most expensive player ever, 19-year-old French phenom Kylian Mbappe is the most exciting talent in world football. He’s the youngest-ever French goalscorer at the World Cup and the second teenager to score two goals in a World Cup match, joining Pele in that regard.
Sweden was sent packing by England after a 2-0 defeat in the quarterfinals of the World Cup. The Swedes showed the world that they were there to really have a go at the tournament, making it out of a group that barely anyone gave them a chance in.
However, while Sweden’s players will no doubt be proud of their achievement, there was one little bit of negativity that arose from it — a piece of negativity to the tune of $66,000. More specifically, Andreas Granqvist’s socks are going to cost him $66,000. Clear enough for you?
This is, without a doubt, the most attention a T3 (third coach) has ever received before a World Cup semifinal, but you can certainly understand why: Thierry Henry, the man who appeared in 123 matches for France while scoring 51 goals, is now tasked with educating the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard and Dries Mertens in the art of deconstructing Les Bleus.
Immigrant players and sons of immigrants largely make up World Cup rosters. Welcoming immigration has proven to be the secret to having success at the World Cup. Out of the four teams still remaining in the tournament, France, Belgium and England feature squads composed of players from very diverse origins.
The 2018 World Cup semifinals begin on Tuesday with France vs Belgium in Saint Petersburg. The final will then be set following the completion of Wednesday's matchup between England and Croatia in Moscow. Here are our World Cup semi finals predictions, including team news, injuries, tactics and previews.
France vs Belgium
Tuesday, July 10 | 2:00 p.m. ET | Saint Petersburg Stadium
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