France vs. Belgium: 5 key matchups

France take on Belgium in the semifinals of the World Cup on Tuesday, July 10. Here are five matchups that could decide the result.

We’re down to the last four of the World Cup. Two all-European affairs to decide who gets to play in the final on July 15. The first semifinal, between France and Belgium, is worthy of a final itself. So much is at stake, with both squads knowing they’ll the favorite in the final against either Croatia or England. Here are five key matchups that could decide the result.

Paul Pogba vs. Marouane Fellaini

Manchester United teammates collide in the middle of the park. Pogba hasn’t recorded a goal or assist all tournament, but is still crucial to France’s set up. His passing range is superb, as he displayed against both Argentina and Uruguay. While he hasn’t helped produce in the final third, he helps tremendously in the build-up, something very few of his teammates can do.

Fellaini has been superb lately against both Japan and Brazil. He was a beast defensively against Tite’s men, winning headers and keeping composure on the ball. United fans might not like the fact he extended his contract, but he’s shown he can still do a job. His partnership with Axel Witsel solidifies the midfield and allows Belgium’s more creative talents to go forward on the counter.

Fellaini is one of few midfielders who can match Pogba’s size, but the Frenchman is much better on the ball. If he’s able to get the better of Fellaini, France will be in good shape.

Kylian Mbappe vs. Jan Vertonghen

Mbappe had a quiet game against Uruguay, yet France still won 2-0. That just shows how strong France are, but Mbappe knows he has to do better against Belgium. He’s had a fine tournament, but with big games comes big pressure.

He’ll face Vertonghen, one of the smartest defenders around. His positioning and tackling are second-to-none, and he effectively shut down Willian and Douglas Costa in the quarterfinal. The Spurs defender has the edge in the air and is stronger, but Mbappe will look to run at him and beat him in a footrace down the wing. From there, it’s anyone’s guess. Vertonghen will have his hands full trying to keep Mbappe quiet.

Eden Hazard vs. Benjamin Pavard

On the other wing is an equally fascinating battle. Eden Hazard produced a masterclass against Brazil, beating players for fun with the ball at his feet. He danced past him as if they weren’t there and claimed the left-flank as his own. While the end-product isn’t consistently there, he’s attacking defenses relentlessly and creating chances.

Hazard will look to get the better of the 22-year-old Pavard. The Stuttgart defender has grown before our very eyes at this tournament, impressing in almost every match. Against Argentina, he scored arguably the goal of the tournament with his sensational volley. Versus Uruguay, he shut down Matias Vecino and helped keep Luis Suarez quiet.

With both players in good form, it will be fun to see who gets the edge here. Nobody can take the ball off Hazard at the moment, so Pavard will have to be patient. He may want to ask his Chelsea teammate N’Golo Kante for some advice on how to shackle him, but he’s unlikely to be able to do it alone.

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Kevin De Bruyne vs. N’Golo Kante

This battle should be worth the price of admission alone. Kevin De Bruyne also delivered a fantastic performance against Brazil playing as a false 9 and demolishing Brazil on the counter. With greater freedom than he’d been given playing in midfield in Belgium’s previous games, he scored the winner, a laser past Allison.

If there’s one man that can stop De Bruyne, it’s Kante. It’s a shame he isn’t being talked about more, as he’s been the best midfielder at this tournament not named Luka Modric. The work he did to shut down Rodrigo Betancur was crucial in beating Uruguay. De Bruyne, however, will be a whole other challenge.

Didier Deschamps vs. Roberto Martinez

Roberto Martinez finally received some praise for his tactical brilliance against Brazil, inserting Nacer Chadli and Marouane Fellaini into the starting XI, moving De Bruyne further forward and shifting Romelu Lukaku out to the right wing. The big tactical question ahead of the semifinal is whether he’ll stick with that approach against a France.

Given Deschamps’ conservative nature, it seems unlikely. The thinking behind shifting Lukaku wide was to exploit Marcelo, who essentially plays as a left winger. France’s full-backs won’t be nearly as adventurous, and their center-backs, Samuel Umtiti and Raphael Varane, are better equipped to handle Lukaku’s pace cutting off the wing than Miranda or Thiago Silva. While Lukaku is likely to start through the middle, however, Martinez may very well toggle between a back three and back four, depending on what sort of damage Mbappe is able to do on the wing.

Deschamps, for his part, has had a steady World Cup, even if everyone would like to see him give more freedom to his attacking players. Against a team with a devastating front three, he’ll likely stick to his guns and opt to start Blaise Matuidi, who missed the Uruguay match through suspension, as a defensive winger again. Ultimately, Les Bleus‘ success will be determined by the quality of their defending.