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

Belgium

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

In the 2018 World Cup so far, Belgium have scored 14 goals, the most in the tournament and have conceded 5. They had 85 shots, with 33 of them on goal. Only Brazil have more shots (103) and more attempts on target (38).

Belgium have 9 different scorers and 7 different players have assisted for those goals. Belgium have scored 12 goals in open play, but surprisingly, only one from a set piece. For his team, Meunier had 11 deliveries into the penalty area and 11 attempted crosses and has recovered the ball back 20 times, the second most in the team.

He covered a team-high distance of 46.5 Kilometres, and would have certainly made this list, but instead will miss the game, as he is suspended after picking up his second yellow of the tournament in the game against Brazil. Even in his absence, it is tough to pick out just 6 Belgium players to look out for from this talented bunch, but the following will surely have their say on Tuesday.

Thibaut Courtois

Courtois played every minute of Belgium’s 5 games and made a total of 18 saves. His man of the match performance against Brazil was one of the reasons for Belgium’s process to the semi-finals.

Calm, cool and composed under pressure, it was his quick thinking that unleashed a venomous counter-attack in the dying minutes of the round of 16 clash against Japan, which ultimately led to the winning goal. Even under wave after wave of Samba pressure in the Brazil game, he kept his composure, saving brilliantly from Neymar in injury time, to protect the lead.

While Hugo Lloris had been brilliant in this World Cup and narrowly misses out in this list, he only made 8 saves, starting behind a mean French defence. Meunier’s absence would certainly affect Belgium’s defensive composition, but they will gather confidence knowing that they can count on Courtois to bail them out when required.

Jan Vertonghen

Vertonghen has covered 37 Kilometres so far, with 2 attempts on goal, both on target. He famously initiated the Belgian comeback against Japan with his maiden goal of the tournament. Against Brazil too, he was rock solid.

He has been the pick of the Belgian defence in the tournament and has attempted a total of 229 passes so far, completing 203 of them, with 5 tackles and 9 clearances. Interestingly, he has recovered the ball 21 times, the highest in the team and also attempted 3 crosses.

While Meunier’s absence would force Roberto Martinez to reshuffle his back four, it would be up to Vertonghen to put in another stellar shift. He will certainly have his hands full with the speed and stealth of Mbappe, and the physical presence of Giroud, and will be relying on his impressive partnership with his skipper, the towering Vincent Kompany, to handle the French onslaught.