The World Cup fever is upon us all; we are down to the final four nations at this tournament. For the first time in history, we have a World Cup semifinal without Brazil, Germany, Italy or Argentina. This is the new reality we have to deal with. Host Russia saw their World Cup dream end on Saturday night at Fisht Olympic stadium against Croatia who can equal the Bronze medal feat of 1998 set or go a step better. Belgium proved their tournament aspiration as they put an end to Brazil’s sixth World title dreams. Didier Deschamps is two victories away from joining an exclusive group of people who have won the FIFA World Cup as player and coach. The rendition in England since Saturday evening is “It’s coming home”. The English believe this is their opportunity to win the World Cup again after 52 years; these four nations have earned the right to dream.
Here is our preview of the semifinals.
FRANCE v BELGIUM – TUE. 10 JULY 2018, 19.00HRS
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France meet Belgium at Saint Petersburg for a place in the FIFA World Cup 2018 final. The French team did not need to move a gear up to dispatch Uruguay in their quarter final games. Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba played their part in a matured performance for Les Blues against La Celeste. Some of Didier Deschamps key players who have been a core of his plan since the last World Cup in Brazil are playing crucial roles and showing required maturity at this level. This current Belgium squad tagged the ‘golden generation’ have matched the nation’s best achievement at the FIFA World Cup, a semifinal place. Belgium overcame their quarter finals hoodoo with a matured performance against another tournament favorite Brazil in Kazan. Roberto Martinez maintained the same system but deployed different personnel to exploit Brazil’s weakness as well as imposing his team physical ability. This is a game between two different managers in terms of style but the focus isn’t on either manager, it is on Thierry Henry; Belgium assistant coach, a World Cup winner with France who would be plotting the downfall of his home country and former teammate Didier Deschamps. Martinez favors free flowing attacking display while Deschamps is more cautious and pragmatic.
VERDICT – These two European neighbors have met 19 times with France having the edge with 8W 6D 5L. However, Belgium are undefeated in the last three meetings. Both sides have pace, power and guile in attack which makes this a classic semifinal clash. This is a difficult game to call as both sides have earned their place in the Last four. I expect goals from both sides in Saint Petersburg so our prediction is both sides to get on the score sheet.
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CROATIA v ENGLAND – WED. 11 JULY 2018, 19.00HRS
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Croatia have a chance of surpassing the 1998 trailblazing Bronze medal team led by Zvonomir Boban at the Luzhniki stadium on Wednesday when they face England for a place in the final. England are in the Last four of the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1990 thanks to a comfortable two nil victory over Sweden. Croatia have fitness having played over four hours of football and the nerves of penalty shoot-out in their last two games, this has stretched Zlatko Dalic’s team. Goalkeeper Danijel Subasic, Sime Vrsaljko, Ivan Strinic and Mario Mandzukic are doubts for this game after picking up knocks in their quarter final victory over Russia. England played 120 minutes against Colombia in the Round of 16 but got the job done against Sweden in 90 minutes in the quarter final without having to break too much sweat which means Gareth Southgate has less to worry about in terms of fitness issues. England have grown into the tournament as they have progressed. Right now the expectations running high at home but the manager has kept a cool head and is ensuring his team stay grounded with focus on the job at hand.
VERDICT – These team were not rated highly by bookmakers to make it this far in the tournament so both managers deserve credit for what they have achieved. However, this is an opportunity of a life time, it would be interesting to see how the pressure is handled. Croatia have the edge in the midfield but that’s as far as it seem. The two 120 minutes matches played by the Croats will take its toll on them in the latter stages of this game which is where England could have an edge. Their only meeting in a major tournament was at Euro 2004 where England defeated Croatia in Lisbon. England have a better head-to-head record with 4W 1D 2L in the last seven meetings between both sides. Croatia proven that they are difficult to beat even when they are not at their best but the absence of important players would affect their overall performance. Both sides should get on the scoresheet. Our prediction is over 2.5 goals at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow.
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