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

#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.