World Cup 2018: Belgium have the finest attacking trio in Russia and that’s why they should pip France in the battle of the two best teams
SunSport's tournament legend tips Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku to overcome the favourites
FRANCE and Belgium have been the two best-performing teams at this World Cup — it is going to be a great game.
The Belgians play such attractive football and boast the strongest attacking unit in the competition in Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku.
What they have done for Roberto Martinez’s men has been amazing.
They are a bold and adventurous team who are flexible tactically — as they showed with the change of system against Brazil.
DEVIL WITH THREE HEADS
Putting Lukaku on the right and playing De Bruyne in the No 10 position, leaving Brazil’s two central defenders without a ‘clean’ striker to mark, was really clever.
It meant De Bruyne could run at them from the second line, while Hazard stretched them down the left. All three were fantastic in their 2-1 quarter-final win.
That was the perfect position for De Bruyne to play, where he can really hurt any team.
And I’d never seen Lukaku as strong as he was against Brazil. He was so physical, so powerful, showing his speed and goal threat.
It would have been hard for anybody to defend against him last Friday — and that gives Belgium so many options for this semi-final.
They can go down the middle and through the channels with Lukaku, or play him out wide as well. He has shown he is not just a traditional No 9.
FRENCH BETTERS
France are the best-organised team out in Russia and it is no surprise N’Golo Kante is key to that.
As I’ve said before, he is a captain without the armband.
The Chelsea star balances the side and means Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann know they can make their runs and concentrate on trying to score.
What helps is that France have excellent players. Not just the ones in the first XI but 20 players at the highest level. So Deschamps has always got a good option from the bench for any situation.
Olivier Giroud is not the sort of player who shines but they know he will make himself available to receive the ball and hold it up. He makes the system work.
POG OF WAR
Paul Pogba is NOT a key player for this French side.
It’s not like a few years ago when everything was based around him. Now he has to work for the team.
Maybe it helped that, under Jose Mourinho at Manchester United, he’s had to learn he is just one part of the team.
The midfielder has been told he cannot be an individual. He is important, yes, and has personality and quality.
But he is not as brilliant as some of the other players — and has had to recognise that.
HELL’S BELS
I wasn’t shocked that Belgium beat Brazil. They were focused and concentrated and put in a great team performance.
They also showed character by dragging themselves back from two down against Japan in the last 16 — sticking to their spirit, their game.
With this mentality, they can win the World Cup.
It helps that when it really matters, they can rely on a very good keeper in Thibaut Courtois and a strong defence.
Plus, they have an ability to adapt, like when Marouane Fellaini was dropped into the midfield, creating a platform for the three attacking stars.
VERDICT
This is a World Cup semi-final. Everybody is under pressure. The teams have come a long way — but there is still a very long way to go.
The hardest part of the journey is knowing they have such a great chance of winning the tournament.
I’m sure France will be focused. They have got better, step by step, the longer it has gone on.
They didn’t fly out of the blocks like Croatia, for example, but won their games, topped the group and are now where they wanted to be.
But, for me, Belgium are a brilliant team. They have power, courage, character and quality. And that front three will be just too much for France.