France vs Belgium LIVE World Cup 2018: France into World Cup final - latest reaction from St Petersburg
Follow all the action from the first semi-final of the 2018 World Cup
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.France and Belgium face off in the first semi-final of the 2018 World Cup in what promises to be one of the games of the tournament.
France are here after seeing off Argentina and Uruguay in the knockout stages with Kylian Mbappe continue to rise as one of the games ascending stars. Belgium have moved through the gears in Russia with the performance to dump Brazil out last time out one of the very best of the last three weeks.
Coaches Didier Deschamps and Roberto Martinez have their detractors but have delivered here and are now 90 - or 120 - minutes away from a shot at immortality. It should be a thriller.
Follow the latest in the live blog below
Please allow a moment for the live blog to load
What time does it start?
The game kicks off at 7pm in St Petersburg
Where can I watch it?
The match is being shown live on BBC1. You can also watch it via the BBC Sport website.
How they got here?
France have warmed to this tournament rather than exploded into it with their group stage progression characterised by what have been rather than what did actually come to be. Australia were seen off but only via a late own goal before Peru fell to Mbappe's first goal in Russia. The less said about the Denmark snoozefest the better before Les Bleus showed what is possible with a supreme performance to see off Argentina in the last-16 with that man Mbappe coming of age on a balmy summer afternoon in Kazan. Next the quarter-final and another solid if unspectacular display as Uruguay were sent packing thanks to goals from Raphael Varane and Antoine Griezmann (and a monumental howler from Fernando Muslera).
Belgium themselves have flattered to deceive at times with Panama and Tunisia negotiated without too much trouble before England were also seen off, albeit with a second team in Nizhny Novgorod. Japan threatened to end the dream in the last-16 before Nacer Chadli's last-gasp, extra-time winner saved them. The quarter-finals saw Brazil ousted in a performance to put the whole world on notice as the five-time winners were sent home thanks to vintage displays by De Bruyne and Hazard.
Head-to-head
These two have met some 73 times down the years, the first of which coming way back in 1904 (a 3-3 draw for those wondering). They haven't met competitively since the 1986 World Cup - a 4-2 win for Michel Platini's side - while the last time they faced each other was back in 2014 when the Belgian's triumphed 4-3 with Hazard scoring what proved to be the winner.
Odds
France 29/20
Belgium 11/5
Prediction
France 1-3 Belgium: This is one of the match-ups of the tournament with the two, pound-for-pound best squads going toe to toe in St Petersburg. Both offer an abundance of threat going forwards and while Les Bleus possess the more sturdy defence that fearsome Red Devils front three are in the form of their lives. Expect De Bruyne to have a big game with Romelu Lukaku perhaps the difference maker.
19 mins: CLOSE! Hazard has a shot cutting in from the left flank, and Varane, under pressure from Fellaini somehow heads over the bar. Belgian corner
21 mins: Belgium building up a head of steam. They have another corner as they drag France from one flank to the other
22 mins: SAVE! It's Toby Alderweierld of all people who manages to force his club mate Lloris into a brilliant save as his shot comes through bodies and is pushed away from goal. Looked as though that was destined to be the opener, but we have two of the best keepers in the World on show this evening
24 mins: On top of the ridiculous riches of the attacking talents with ball to feet, both sides also have the option of going long with Olivier Giroud and Marouane Fellaini dominant in the air.
28 mins: Brilliant defending from Umtiti! De Bruyne manages to squeeze a cross into the box and he intercepts with two Belgian's breathing down his neck at the far post.
It may be 0-0 but we have seen some quality football so far.
Of all the players to start well, it hasn't been the finest half hour of Lukaku's World Cup.
31 mins: An interesting set piece routine from France. Griezmann goes short to Pavard who crosses for Giroud, who is inches away from hitting the target. Giroud the striker to have started this one the better
33 mins: Now it's France's turn to have the better play, as the pendulum swings between the two teams. Griezmann should do better after making space for himself on the edge of the box but fires his shot over the bar.
34 mins: Giroud may have had the better chances than Lukaku, but he's been less than convincing with his finishing. This time Mbappe plays him through, and Giroud looks to be falling before the ball reaches him and makes a real mess of the finish.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments