It was a sophisticated piece of football exhibited in the semi final match up between the Red Devils of Belgium and the Les Blue of France. As evident in this World Cup more games are won on more tactical and discipline football rather than exhibition of individual brilliance or display of skills and finess. France took to a 4-5-1 formation against the more adventurous and attacking formation of 3-5-2 by Belgium. Interesting battles of no. 1, Iloris vs Coutious, no 6. Witsel vs Pogba, no 7. Girezmann. vs De Bryone no. 10. Mbape vs Hazard no. 9 Giroud vs Lukaku, no. 4 Varane vs Kompany mostly a EPL rivalry. Ironically French central defender Umtiti made the difference with a timely second half header. The two cosmopolitan teams made up of mostly African players gave Africa hope that very soon an African team can win the World Cup. With Belgium now eliminated the jinx of no foreign coach winning the World Cup continues. Belgium coached by Spanish man Martinez, who as a player was termed below average player restricted to small clubs. While Deshamp had a successful playing career including winning the World Cup for France as captain. Belgium were very adventurous and poccess more of the ball bossing the game but France were tactically discipline, pragmatic in counter attack with the lightning pace of Mbape. France 1-0 Belgium
Jayjay Oyekale
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