World Cup 2018, France vs Belgium: Key Battles within 'The Battle'

The 2018 FIFA World Cup has reached its penultimate stage and we have a classic in store for us at Saint-Petersburg. Two European superpowers, France and Belgium, would indulge in a bid to outdo the other to stake their claim for a place in the final.

In the quarterfinal, France got the better of Uruguay 2-0. The goals were scored by Raphael Varane and Antoine Griezmann. France were not troubled throughout and were solid defensively. In the attacking third, they caused problems for Uruguay on a regular basis and always kept them on the back foot.

Belgium, meanwhile, posted a comprehensive victory over five-time winners, Brazil. Kevin De Bruyne’s stunner, in addition to Fernandinho’s own goal, laid the foundation of their success. They were menacing on the counter-attack and created chances at will. Thibaut Courtois had a magnificent game with the gloves. He made 9 saves in all and was on hand to bail Belgium out, whenever the going got tough.

France and Belgium have immense quality throughout their ranks. Hence, it is a very difficult task to predict a winner. There would be a lot of battles within ‘The Battle’ across the pitch.

With the clash edging closer, we take a look at these crucial match-ups that would go a long way in deciding who gets their shot at World Cup glory come the 15th of July.

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#1 Kevin De Bruyne vs N’Golo Kante

Roberto Martinez sprung a surprise in the quarterfinal when he deployed De Bruyne in an advanced role. De Bruyne, however, repaid the faith the manager had shown in him with a marvellous strike. Even against France, De Bruyne is expected to start as part of the front three with Fellaini taking his place in midfield. Though he ripped Fernandinho to pieces on Friday, tackling Kante is a different proposition altogether.

At present, Kante is the best defensive midfielder on the planet. He has mastered the difficult art of playing football with simplicity. He is exceptional at reading the game and covers every blade of grass whenever he takes the field. Throughout the tournament, Kante has been a calming influence and provides steel to a team full of creative artists.

De Bruyne and Kante have come face to face in the Premier League with Manchester City and Chelsea respectively. De Bruyne had the wood on Kante in both games this season and he would be looking to repeat it in the semi-final. Kante, however, is a very smart footballer. He would have planned for De Bruyne and one can expect him to have something up his sleeve when they lock horns on Tuesday.

The outcome of this battle would have a huge impact on the game. If Kante can curtail De Bruyne’s play-making abilities, France would move a step closer to victory. However, if Kante is unable to fend off the De Bruyne threat, Belgium might just march on towards their first World Cup final.

#2 Eden Hazard vs Benjamin Pavard

Eden Hazard was a constant thorn in Brazil’s side. Hazard also got his hands on a unique record: he completed 10 take-ons out of 10, which was the most in a World Cup game since 1966. Fagner, the Brazil right-back, had the longest 90 minutes of his career as Hazard turned him inside and out with devastating efficiency.

Pavard has been solid for France and provides an outlet for France when they attack. His attacking instincts earned him a spectacular goal against Argentina in the Round of 16. On Tuesday, Pavard will face his toughest assignment when he goes up against Hazard.

Fagner afforded a lot of space to Hazard and the latter grabbed it with both hands. It is imperative that Pavard does not afford space to Hazard. Fagner made the mistake of committing too early and it is important for France that Pavard doesn’t do the same. Hazard will try drawing fouls to rattle the defenders and throw them out of gear. Pavard needs to guard against this tactic while being strong defensively.

If Hazard is as successful as he was against Brazil, he would run rings around the French defence. For France to harbour any hopes of going through, Pavard needs to bring his A-game to the table and neutralise the ‘Hazard’ threat.

#3 Romelu Lukaku vs Raphael Varane

Romelu Lukaku has been superb for Belgium at the World Cup. He has four goals to his name and provided the assist for De Bruyne’s goal against Brazil. However, the most pleasing aspect has been his link-up play. He has held the ball up, functioned as the ‘target man’ and brought the others into play.

At the moment, he represents a striker on top of his game. In Saint-Petersburg, he would battle against Raphael Varane, a defender on top of his game.

Varane plies his trade at Real Madrid and has established himself as the first-choice centre-back alongside Sergio Ramos. Varane is a good reader of the game and is strong in the tackle. To supplement this, he possesses pace and power, which enable him to get out of sticky situations.

A lot of Belgium’s attacks and counter-attacks would flow through Lukaku. Belgium would want Lukaku to ward off Varane and bring Hazard and De Bruyne into play as often as possible. Lukaku also likes to run into channels and utilize his pace. However, in Varane, he would line up against a defender who can match him stride for stride.

The battle between Lukaku and Varane is an enticing prospect and the outcome of this battle would have huge implications on the result of the match.

#4 Kylian Mbappe vs Jan Vertonghen

Kylian Mbappe, the 19-year-old French sensation, has been in sumptuous form in Russia. He singlehandedly destroyed Argentina with his direct running and trickery. Though he had a relatively quiet game against Uruguay, one can expect him to be up and running when Belgium come to town.

Belgium have a defensive dilemma on their hands. Thomas Meunier is suspended for the game and his absence would be a major loss for Belgium. Belgium could either switch to a back four with Boyata deputizing at Right Back or they could go down the ambitious route and play Carrasco as the Right Wing Back, with Chadli playing as the Left Wing Back. However, one player certain to start is Vertonghen.

Vertonghen has provided stability with his only mistake coming against Japan. He atoned for his mistake instantly with a goal which sparked Belgium’s comeback. Vertonghen is a strong defender and a clean tackler. However, pace is not his biggest asset and he offsets that with the help of his strength.

In Mbappe, he would be engrossed in a battle with a player who has pace to burn. Mbappe used his pace splendidly when he ran through the heart of Argentina’s defence and midfield to earn a penalty. Mbappe enjoys a clear advantage over Vertonghen in the pace department. Thus, Vertonghen would look to put in a few strong challenges to perturb Mbappe and ruffle his feathers.

For France, this represents their best avenue to hurt Belgium. If Mbappe is as irresistible as he was against Argentina, Belgium might just have to say goodbye to their World Cup ambitions.

#5 Antoine Griezmann vs Marouane Fellaini and Axel Witsel

Fellaini is expected to partner Witsel in midfield for Belgium. Fellaini was brought into the starting eleven against Brazil to beef up the midfield and it worked to perfection as they negated the threat posed by Coutinho and Neymar. Against France, the two of them would be entrusted with stopping Griezmann.

Antoine Griezmann got on the scoresheet against Uruguay, albeit a little fortuitously. He also provided the cross for Varane to head home. Griezmann hasn’t scaled the heights expected of him. He has been efficient without being too extravagant. He would look at the Belgium game as the perfect opportunity to stamp his mark on the World Cup.

Griezmann likes to operate in the little pockets of space between the defence and midfield. Witsel and Fellaini would do their best to minimise this space and not let Griezmann carve out openings for his teammates.

Griezmann is one of France’s most creative players and if Belgium can stop him from creating, France could have a problem on their hands. Witsel and Fellaini are strong players. Hence, Griezmann would want to use his full repertoire of skills to escape their clutches.

For France, it is essential that Griezmann creates space for himself and makes the play. On the other hand, Belgium would hope that Witsel and Fellaini can keep Griezmann under their watch at all times. An intriguing, tactical battle lies in wait for us; a battle that would surely influence the outcome of the match.

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Who do you think will be the best player in the France-Belgium game? Tell us in the comments below!