Day: July 9, 2018

France vs Belgium Soccer Preview-Predictions

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France vs Belgium Soccer Preview-Predictions Both of the teams, securing their seats at the FIFA World Cup Russia table now have to see who will be pursuing gold and who is about to be left searching for the bronze. An hour and a half of football away is a potentially career-crowning Final. Outsiders had their own doubts about whether the two extravagant jigsaws comprised of stupendous talent could be pieced together in time for a true assault on the Finals considering the high hopes the pair arrived with. Against Japan and Argentina, both teams have stood firm, while defensive doubts gave arisen with Belgium now enjoying their best major tournament since Mexico 1986. With Thomas Meunier picking up a second booking prior to them being wiped for the semi-finals The Red Devils will be without a key-if less flashy- part of their puzzle against France. Did you know that France has been playing against Belgium on 74 occasions? At the World Cup, they have met only twice with their last meeting coming in the third-place match at Mexico 1986 and have played each other in just eight friendly matches since. Possible line-ups: France: Blaise Matuidi, Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe, Samuel Umtiti, Raphael Varane, Benjamin Pavard, Ngolo Kante, Paul Pogba, Hugo Lloris, Olivier Giroud. Belgium: Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, Yannick Carrasco, Axel Witsel, Kevin De Bruyne, Nacer Chadli, Jan Vertonghen, Vincent Kompany, Thomas Vermaelen, Toby Alderweireld, Thibaut Courtois. France vs Belgium Soccer Preview-Predictions Betting Tips 1×2, BTTS, Over/Under 2.5   1×2 Both Teams to Score Under/Over 1 / over 2.5

Four key attributes for four semi-finalists

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Belgium, France, Croatia, and England boasts very different attributes, so read on the following views of the experts on the semi-finalists main strengths.   Belgium: Team spirit Belgians biggest success in Russia has been establishing strong collective value and has arrived with one of the best squads on paper. Including the magic trio Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne, their star individuals have stepped up when needed. Everyone’s playing their part. They are representing their most important asset simply because it has not always been present in the past. Everyone is fit to play in the Belgian squad and ready to make sacrifices on the pitch or, in some cases to support their team-mates by accepting their status as substitutes.   France: Versatility Didier Deschamps has been criticized not so long ago for this aspect of his France team, that Les Bleus had a thousand faces and no real identity, as some journalists alleged. And in fact, it is emerging as a vital attribute! France was spectacular against Argentina, efficient and solid against Uruguay and so far that means functional during their group matches. Do we see three different teams? No – the same team just different tactics. There are no weak teams anymore as we have seen already during this World Cup, and even giants like Spain and Germany had a hard time playing ‘their game’. Options are everything and a possession doesn’t ensure victory and experience doesn’t guarantee success.   Croatia: Midfield talent Surviving two stern tests in the knockout stages and sailing through arguably Russia 2018’s most difficult group, Croatia have been one of those teams of the tournament. The midfield of Croatia is the greatest asset that Zlatko Dalic’s side possesses. Their midfield ranks as one of the best at this World Cup because the players in that department of the team almost always seem composed, unruffled and organized. It is not often that players from Real Madrid and Barcelona combine to such devastating effect, but Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic are the lynchpins of the Croatian team. Far from alone though, adding in Marcelo Brozovic, Inter Milan’s player, Real Madrid’s Mateo Kovacic and Milan Badelj playing for Fiorentina it all adds up to a truly superb generation of Croatian midfielders.   England: Variety As Gareth Southgate’s side continues to find new and different ways to win, picking a single strength to define England is increasingly difficult. England’s young team is prepared for any match situation, any opposition and their ruthlessly effective game management can’t be better. We testify this ever-improving, young side using its confidence, their modern system of playing and togetherness. Examining the individual stars in the team, they have their heroic goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, the tournament top scorer Harry Kane – each just 24 years old. Sine 1990 this could be the most complete England side we have seen. And it seems like they’re here to make their own history.  

With nerves of steel, Croatia made it to the semis

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As the Balkan nation overcame the committed Russian side, that Saturday night in Sochi is sure to live long in the memories of every Croatian. The Croatians won 4-3 on penalties after their dramatic quarter-final clash ended 2-2 after extra time. At The Fisht Stadium, there were some notable and fantastic performances in Croatia’s triumph. Despite nursing a leg injury in the latter stages of the contest, goalkeeper Danijel Subasic made some important saves. Ivan Rakitic showed his composure of scoring his side’s winning penalty in a shoot-out for a second straight match. The key to assuring Dalic’s side in continuing their journey at this world final was the performance of Andrej Kramaric. The 27-year-old Kramaric said: “Honestly, I’m not even aware of what we’ve achieved. I  am proud to be part of this team that will remain enrolled as one of the biggest in Croatian sports. But we do not want to stop now; we have to make it a step further.” Reaching the semi-finals and its magnitude for the first time since the country’s World Cup debut in France 1998 was a huge evident for celebration the striker and his team-mates witnessed back home. Kramaric said: “We here in Russia do not feel the joy of our fans in the cities of Croatia, but surely the emotions are very special. Now, we have to get together and continue this way, for our great fans.” The Vatreni have shown a level of resiliency to reach this stage of the competition, having endured a similar test against Denmark in the Round of 16. Andrej Kramaric commented: “The match against Russia is yet another victory of our character. We have nerves of steel; we showed how calm and self-confident we are. Perhaps the match was not the most beautiful, but it will be remembered. The goal I scored was dedicated to my family and friends. I will certainly remember it. It is a goal in the World Cup.” By winning the tournament against the hosts, Russia sets up a showdown against England in the last hour in Moscow on Wednesday.  Kramaric rates highly the Three Lions side.  He said: “Before the World Cup, I chose England as one of the favorites. They are young and fast, so it will not be easy for us. It will be an interesting game and we will fight to make the final.”  

Pickford: We can create our own history!

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For Jordan Pickford, it has been quite the week. The goalkeeper of England, on Tuesday, played an instrumental role in propelling the Three Lions to their first ever World Cup penalty shootout victory. As he pulled off of save to keep Sweden at bay in his side’s quarter-final victory they saw him emerge as a hero once more. It was Pickford’s acrobatic skills that ensured the win was a comfortable one. He managed to deny Marcus Berg on two occasions, first diving to his left to tip a goal-bound header round the post and then once again reaching up instinctively to palm a snapshot over the bar. Pickford has joined Sunderland’s Academy when he was only eight, with signing his first contract, a full-time contract in 2011, but went out on loan to lower league sides for first-team experience. Those experiences have helped to make him the player that he is today, says the modest keeper. Despite thriving in that shootout win over Colombia, the Budweiser Man of the Match from England’s quarter-final win would always pick shutouts over penalty drama.   Pickford added on the victory over Sweden: “The highlight of that was the clean sheet, but it’ll go on my mantelpiece, that one, it’s about  keeping performing and getting better, and the more games you play, the better you become. This is where I want to be. I just want to be playing in the biggest matches against big teams. I just keep myself level-headed and do my best for the team. I wasn’t born the last time England reached a World Cup semi-final. We have always said we would it take one game at a time but we can go on and create our own history. We are a young side but we’re an experienced young side, as daft as that sounds. We know how to work and play for each other, and what our strengths are. We know how to win.” Southgate has also hailed the Sunderland native, lauding him as a model for the next generation of goalkeepers aspire to.