France vs Belgium: 6 key players to watch out for from both sides

Paul Pogba

France v Belgium: Semi Final - Pre-match events - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

Pogba covered 34.6 Kilometres and had 5 attempts on goal, with 1 on target, which was blocked. He is yet to score a goal but has come close on a few occasions. With Kante and Matuidi to lean on to, Pogba has unleashed himself on the pitch, in an avatar which Manchester United fans were dying for all season.

He has attempted 233 passes, completing 189, mixing flair and flashy skills with calmness on the ball. Even though Kante has freed him from his defensive responsibilities, Pogba has not been idle off the ball. He has 4 tackles and 11 clearances to his name so far. He also recovered the ball 16 times.

Offensively, he has attempted 6 deliveries into the penalty box and attempted 2 crosses. He is someone who can turn the tide in the favour of France within a flash and as such, Belgium will be studying him carefully.

His club compatriot Fellaini could be issued the responsibility to handle him, especially after his gutsy performance against Brazil. But Pogba seems to have chosen this World Cup to make a name for himself and he has been bossing the midfield so far in performances that have grown in leaps and bounds with every game.

N’Golo Kante

Kante covered 51.6 Kilometres in his 5 games, the highest in both teams, unsurprisingly. He has carried his club form effortlessly into the national team and even the change of personnel around him has not deterred him. In truth, Kante with his infectious energy and his running compliments Pogba, enabling a formidable midfield partnership.

There is also a certain urgency about the Kante and such is his capabilities that he effortlessly affects the proceedings of the games without himself coming to the fore. He has attempted 308 passes so far, completing 276 of them.

He has 1 tackle and 11 clearances to his name and has won the ball back 52 times, again the highest in both the teams. He will have his eyes on either of Hazard or De Bruyne, but in truth, he can be everywhere. If Belgium are to succeed, Kante has to be stopped, but it will not be easy.