France and Belgium will tonight face-off in the first semi-final of the World Cup at Saint Petersburg Stadium, St. Petersburg, Russia.
Belgium are set for their first semi-final in over three decades, while France are new favorites after Brazil’s elimination.
Both having secured their seats at the World Cup table until next weekend’s fight for medals, France and Belgium now have to see who will be pursuing gold and who is left searching for bronze.
A potentially career-crowning final is as little as an hour and a half of football away.
The pair arrived with high hopes but outsiders had their doubts about whether the two extravagant jigsaws comprised of stupendous talent could be pieced together in time for a true assault on the Final.
While defensive doubts have arisen against Argentina and Japan respectively – both have stood firm, with Belgium now enjoying their best major tournament since Mexico 1986.
The Red Devils will be without a key – if less flashy – part of their puzzle against France, with Thomas Meunier picking up a second booking prior to them being wiped for the semi-finals.
Les Bleus will however be buoyed by the return of Blaise Matuidi, after sitting out a suspension of his own.
Read: World Cup tidbits: Why Hitler Wanted to Steal WC Trophy from Italy
Did you know?
France haven’t met any side more often than Belgium, having played them on 74 occasions. However, they have only met twice at the World Cup, with their last meeting coming in the third-place match at Mexico 1986, and have played each other in just eight friendlies since.
Possible line-ups
France: Hugo Lloris; Lucas Hernandez, Samuel Umtiti, Raphael Varane, Benjamin Pavard; Ngolo Kante, Paul Pogba; Blaise Matuidi, Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe; Olivier Giroud.
Belgium: Thibaut Courtois; Jan Vertonghen, Vincent Kompany, Thomas Vermaelen, Toby Alderweireld; Yannick Carrasco, Axel Witsel, Kevin De Bruyne, Nacer Chadli; Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku.
The match will kick-off at 9:00PM Kenyan time.
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