itsbeautifuloutside

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The Preview

IBO Reporter: spot51

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The Zenit Arena in St Petersburg is a fitting setting for this clash between 2 of European football's big beasts. The FIFA rankings suggest Belgium (3) ought to be here but France (7) have already exceeded expectations. By the same measure, the winner of this match should wallop either England (12) or Croatia (20) in the final. If only football were that simple: we could all get rich at the Bookies' expense...

Tuesday's tie should be a classic. Belgium have a collection of excellent individuals but, under Roberto Martinez, they are increasingly starting to look, and play, like a team. France have their own great stars and, individual preferences aside, this match would have made a great Final. In recent World cups, when France have clicked they have been impressive. At others, they have spent too much time fighting with each other to progress in the tournament. Didier Deschamps seems to have put that genie back in the bottle and his players also look like they are a formidable team. (Say "formidable" in a French manner, please).

So what have we got?

Goalkeepers - 2 stars of the Premier league. If I had to choose I'd rate Courtois slightly higher than Lloris but I'd be amazed if either drop a Muslera style bollock on Tuesday.

Defence: Belgium's 3 are good footballers. They work well as a unit and the one thing that could be a problem is Kompany's fitness. If he lasts the pace, Belgium look sound at the back. In Varane, France have one of the world's very best defenders. He leads that back four expertly and, allowing for the different formations there looks little to choose between the sides but, Pavard, France's young right back, has a hell of a shot on him.

Midfield: The only suspension is for Belgian wing-back Meunier who got a second yellow against Brazil. Not sure how Martinez will shuffle his pack but he has enough wide players to cope. Both wing-backs could find themselves running the wrong way if France exploit the pace of their wide players. In De Bruyne, Belgium have the best passer in world football. He could land a football in your cereal bowl from out in the street. Kante may be deployed solely on keeping him quiet. Matuidi and Pogba are well capable of doing the creative stuff.

Forwards: What a joy this game could be! In addition to the man-mountain that is Lukaku, Belgium also pose threats from Hazard, Mertens and late runs from midfield that make them a nightmare to defend against. France, on the other hand, will stick Giroud up front with Griezmann and Mbappe buzzing around him like angry wasps.

It is a tough call. I've said for months that Belgium might actually win this thing if all the bits fall in the right holes. They still might. However, if France bring everything they have to the party, kilo for kilo they could pack the mightier punch. Either side will provide a huge challenge for England or Croatia next Sunday (Come on England!)

If it is actually coming home this time, Gareth's boys will have earned it.

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Match Report :

IBO Reporter: spot51

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Allez, Les Blues!

Semi Final 1: France 1 Belgium 0

Zenit Arena, St Petersburg

1900, 10 July 2018

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This one had the air of one of those heavyweight bouts back when boxing was interesting in the 60s and 70s. Both sides were packed with quality and it was difficult to guess which would land the knock-out blow. Turned out it was France; without dominating the game they played effectively and (as with so many other goals at Russia 2018) got their winner from a set piece.

France were back at full strength following Matuidi’s suspension. Meunier’s suspension saw Belgium introduce Dembele and shift Chadli to right-back, thus retaining the 4-3-3 they played against Brazil. De Bruyne retained the further forward position he played in that match.

Unlike many venues, the Zenit Arena was described as “chilly” by Messrs Wilson & Murphy on duty for the BBC. It was cruel of the TV folk to focus on Thierry Henry, in his Belgium top, during the singing of the Marseillaise. The ref was from Uruguay and the top VAR guy was, again, Italian.

France saw plenty of the ball in the early minutes but the speed of Belgium’s counter once they won the ball was impressive, Chadli’s cross being blocked. Belgium then got their turn at keeping the ball. After 6m Hazard’s raid down the left won a corner off Umtiti which Chadli overhit.

Belgium kept the ball until 10m when the French flooded forward but Mbappe was unable to link up with Giroud. On 13m Pogba’s long ball downfield saw Mbappe outpace his marker but Courtois grabbed it on the edge of his area.

De Bruyne began to exert greater influence running at the French on 15m. He lost possession then but within a minute he fed Hazard whose shot went past the far post. Then Mbappe was off again earning a throw; this was played to Giroud but the ball broke to Matuidi. His shot was true but Courtois got everything behind it.

On 19m Hazard cut in from the left, hit a curling shot beyond Lloris only to see Varane head it over his own bar. Chadli’s corner was initially cleared but was fed to De Bruyne. His ball towards Fellaini was punched away by Lloris. De Bruyne’s next cross was again headed behind by Varane. This time Chadli’s corner was not cleared and Toby, turned, connected with his swinger and brought a top save from the French keeper. The next corner came to naught as the ref blew for a push on a defender.

Halfway through the first half it was beautifully poised. Suddenly, Umtiti sent a long ball upfield and Giroud was centimetres away from bringing it down. The French then enjoyed possession with Hernandez winning a corner. Fellaini headed Griezmann’s cross out but France won it back. Matuidi broke into the Belgian box but ran the ball out of play. The camera panned across Belgian fans and I was impressed to see one wearing a scale model of the Atomium on his head.He’d have been excited when De Bruyne got down the right and fired in a low cross into the fabled “corridor of uncertainty”. France coped really well with Umtiti hooking it away.

On 30m Vertonghen got a strong talking to after fouling Mbappe. The free-kick was a bit straight-on so Griezmann rolled it right - Pavard’s lovely cross was met by Giroud, his diving header going just wide. It was a proper slugfest – Hazard went close, moments later Griezmann fired over. You could not take your eyes off this game.

Griezmann then sent a lovely long pass out to Mbappe. The youngster volleyed it into the path of Giroud who seemed to stumble and stuck a very presentable chance well wide. On 37m Griezmann carried the ball from his own half to the edge of Belgium’s box. With better options available his miserable shot flew horribly wide. There was a brief break in play while Giroud was attended to by medics but the big #9 was soon back in action.

France were buzzing now, Mbappe and Griezmann probed for openings; then, the former’s defence splitting pass found Pavard who drew a fantastic save from Courtois. On 43m Dembele fouled Pogba. Griezmann lined up a shot but the Belgian wall held firm.

In the added minute before half-time, Belgium got forward and De Bruyne’s right wing cross might have set up a goal. Umtiti failed to get anything on it and the ball bounced harmlessly off a surprised Lukaku and ran past the post. Moments later the ref blew for half time; still 0-0.

Michael and Amy arrived at half-time. He’d been on a job in Freshwater and only got home about 6:30 so they watched the first half at theirs. We showed Amy the rebuilt patio. Ciders were opened and we settled down to watch the 2nd half (although Amy seemed happier playing with Rosie & Heidi TBF).

Belgium kicked off, neither side had made changes. On 47m Witsel’s super cross found Lukaku but the big man headed over. Belgium kept the pressure on and Pogba’s fantastic defensive header stopped a certain goal from Fellaini, jumping with him.

On 51m a fantastic French move saw them break upfield. Matuidi sent an inviting pass towards Giroud but, as the big striker turned and shot, Kompany’s block saw the ball deflect for a corner. Griezmann’s super cross was met at the near post by Untiti. The centre-half got a run on Fellaini and his header sped past the gloves of Courtois to put France ahead. 1-0.

Another Dembele foul, this time on Matuidi, gave Griezmann another chance to cross. This time a combination of Kompany and Chadli averted the danger. On 56m France had 2 good chances to increase their lead. First Toby made a crucial block after Mbappe set up Matuidi: then, Mbappe found Giroud but Dembele got in the way of his shot allowing Courtois to clear. Belgium were hanging on.

On 60m Martinez wisely withdrew Dembele and brought on Mertens to play on the right. He was soon in the thick of it. His first cross found De Bruyne but Belgium’s #7 horribly mishit his shot – that's something you don’t see often.

On 63m Hazard was carded for fouling Matuidi. Belgium were soon up the other end and Mertens was proving a good outlet. Courtois was obliged to punch his cross out for a throw. Belgium worked the ball back to him and his next try was met beautifully by the forehead of Fellaini. Lloris was not getting across but, agonizingly for Belgium, the ball bounced just the wrong side of his post.

On 68m Mbappe again sprinted clear of his markers, this time finding Griezmann. The Atletico man sent in a lovely pass but, with all the grace of a cow loading a musket, Giroud sent his shot high into the crowd.

Fellaini was taking on the role of a second striker but Pogba was fighting a spirited rearguard, keeping tabs on his giant clubmate. Toby became the next to be booked for fouling Matuidi.

On 76m Hazard played in De Bruyne but his normally reliable shooting had gone AWOL. Another ball arced high over the bar. France were taking noticeably longer to do everything as the finishing line drew closer.

On 78m Fellaini fouled Mbappe giving Griezmann another free kick opportunity. He floated this one onto the head of Pogba who couldn’t keep his effort down. Giroud was guilty of a clear trip on Hazard which the officials ignored. Then, on 80m, Carasco replaced Fellaini.

Belgium immediately launched a great attack. Varane halted Hazard’s run but the ball fell for Witsel to strike. Lloris declined trying to catch it, choosing to punch instead. Matuidi and Hazard both needed treatment following a collision. Both attempted to play on while Nzonzi came on for Giroud. Shortly afterwards, Matuidi was down again, clutching his chest. This time he was replaced by Tolisso.

Belgium poured forward in search of an equaliser. Chadli sent in another cross only for the imperious Varane to head it away. On 88m Kante was booked for tripping Hazard and De Bruyne again launched the ball into France’s box. It pinged around dangerously before a French boot sent it clear but it was fed straight back to De Bruyne. He drilled a super ball across the goal area and Lukaku stood, transfixed, as it flew past him.

As 6 added minutes began, Chadli fouled Pogba. He was immediately withdrawn and Batshuyi was sent up-front. France wasted their free kick and Mbappe was booked for running away with the ball when Belgium wanted to restart the game. On 93m it should have been all over. Griezmann had the best chance of the night but gave Courtois the opportunity to save: he did. At the other end another great defensive header by Varane thwarted Belgium’s next attack. Vertonghen was booked for fouling Mbappe – it really looked as if he kicked him for wasting time earlier.

Then, on 96m, Pogba set up Tolisso who should also have killed the game. Sadly for Courtois, his fabulous save merely gave France a corner. They happily kept the ball there until the final whistle. 1-0 France: Les Bleus were ecstatic, the Golden Generation thwarted.

Some, but not all, of this Belgian side will get another go at Tournament glory. They have sufficient good individuals to evolve as a football power in the medium term. Whether Martinez takes them forward remains to be seen. There is speculation Spain want him to take charge of their rebuild. As a proud Spaniard, he may find that hard to resist.

France on the other hand are the real deal. In the last 6 world cups, this is their 3rd final – won one, lost one. In the same period, they’ve made 2 Euro finals, again won one, lost one. In the last two decades, France have joined the elite of world football and another win on Sunday will cement their position as one of football’s great powers.

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