WC SEMI-FINAL: FRANCE VS BELGIUM ( 1-0) FT UMTITI

[marko]

France has the best midfield at the world cup

[Tbite]

Margin of error between teams of this calibre are so narrow that all it takes is one mistake or lucky bounce to win a game. Belgium barely beat Brazil and France barely beat Belgium. I wasn't a fan of Martinez's decisions in the previous two matches but I'm not sure what else he could've done differently in this game. France sat back after the goal and there was no room for the their world class attackers to operate. KDB had an awful game and Lukaku got no service. Nonetheless, good showing for Belgium. They know they can compete with the big boys and will be back in Euro 20 and WC 22.

This is what I was telling my dad on the phone, Brazil's ouster is not like 2014.

Another roll of the dice and I could easily see Brazil winning this WC.

Very very small margins. I would not say that France stands convincingly above either Brazil or Belgium.

And I do not say so because of the scoreline, but having watched the matches. France CAN be heads and shoulders above other teams in this WC, but as of now they are not. I think it was Gab Marcotti who said that if France wins the WC, it will not be because they were unquestionable, but rather a question of "In spite of"

This French side is interesting and I like them, but they are not a dominant side. Not simply because of how they cede possession, but they are not as defensively sound as you might expect. This game would ordinarily have been a high scoring affair, but both 9s were pathetic. Lukaku does not know how to read the ball, and Giroud's composure while shooting has been abysmal.

All in all, I think the side that wins this World Cup will have deserved it, but they will not rank among one of the all time WC winning teams! All of the semi finalists should be just a little bit better IMO

[Kabalega]

Mbappe! How come a big country like Naija and its diaspora, does not produce players like Mbappe?

[Comrade Machel]

Viva, viva, viva les bleus! Viva!

Viva


I'm actually think France aren't playing at their best and with the right selection and substitutions this team would be devastating. I mean take out Giroud and sub Griezman when he is stinking up the joint and this team is lethal. I think France have got to the final inspite of Deschamps

[airwolex]

Btw, I haven't been able to closely watch this French team so I ask: what do you guys think makes them special? I find them very puzzling to assess. I can point to the strengths of previous WC winners and finalists but am having trouble doing so with this team. Upfront, Giroud is a minus one and offers nothing, Griezmann has disappointed and essentially just been a set piece taker, while Mbappe has had one standout showing (vs Argentina). Their midfield is probably the best in this WC and their defense has been sturdy except for the Argentina game. I think they'll go down as one of the more balanced sides we've seen in recent WCs but one that doesn't have the flare you'd expect from a WC finalist/champion. The scary thing is they've made it this far with relative ease and will have the same core over the next 4-8 years.

They are an excellent side and complement each other perfectly. Even Giroud has had his moments and is a perfect foil for Mbappe and Greizman.

They are better than the Italian side that won in 2006, more exciting than the Spanish side in 2010 and a tad below the German side in 2014. They are not the best WC side I have ever seen...that goes to the Argentine side in 1986, but put it this way, I'd back them to beat the last three World cup winners.

[Ebyboy]

Btw, I haven't been able to closely watch this French team so I ask: what do you guys think makes them special? I find them very puzzling to assess. I can point to the strengths of previous WC winners and finalists but am having trouble doing so with this team. Upfront, Giroud is a minus one and offers nothing, Griezmann has disappointed and essentially just been a set piece taker, while Mbappe has had one standout showing (vs Argentina). Their midfield is probably the best in this WC and their defense has been sturdy except for the Argentina game. I think they'll go down as one of the more balanced sides we've seen in recent WCs but one that doesn't have the flare you'd expect from a WC finalist/champion. The scary thing is they've made it this far with relative ease and will have the same core over the next 4-8 years.

They are an excellent side and complement each other perfectly. Even Giroud has had his moments and is a perfect foil for Mbappe and Greizman.

They are better than the Italian side that won in 2006, more exciting than the Spanish side in 2010 and a tad below the German side in 2014. They are not the best WC side I have ever seen...that goes to the Argentine side in 1986, but put it this way, I'd back them to beat the last three World cup winners.

Precisely. I think France are capable of a lot more. They have a few more gears to reach
for. But, there is no need. They can win with flair and panache like they did against
Argentina. They can also play the margins and eke it out like they did with Belgium.
That is what makes them special. They play to win.

[marko]

I wish martial was in the squad, he would have wrecked havoc on the Belgians

[maceo4]

I wish martial was in the squad, he would have wrecked havoc on the Belgians

He wouldn't have played if he made the squad, even Dembele didn't get a chance, this was a game for hard working players not the likes of Martial...

[ohsee]

France had 18 shots with 4 on target.
Belgium despite all the domination, has 9 shots, 3 on target.

Kante is a proper shield.

Simply the best DM in the world. Anybody who mentions Busquets again, give the person a slap for me.

Uncle how will you rate him in football?Is he the best 3 DM to play them game?
Uncle Fifa should test him,he might be on drugs

kajifu my man, I rate him number one. Simply the best, the GOAT of DMs. No be drugs, na lungs of steel. Bobo can run all day. 75 percent of the earth is covered by water; the rest is covered by Ngolo Kante.

[kolinzo]

Btw, I haven't been able to closely watch this French team so I ask: what do you guys think makes them special? I find them very puzzling to assess. I can point to the strengths of previous WC winners and finalists but am having trouble doing so with this team. Upfront, Giroud is a minus one and offers nothing, Griezmann has disappointed and essentially just been a set piece taker, while Mbappe has had one standout showing (vs Argentina). Their midfield is probably the best in this WC and their defense has been sturdy except for the Argentina game. I think they'll go down as one of the more balanced sides we've seen in recent WCs but one that doesn't have the flare you'd expect from a WC finalist/champion. The scary thing is they've made it this far with relative ease and will have the same core over the next 4-8 years.

Huh?? What?? Griezmann has disappointed? Mbappe only has one standout showing? You do realize that Giroud, Mbappe, and Griezzy account for 85% of France's offense right?

Anyway, I'm not sure about the criteria a WC finalist/champion supposed to have. Italy has never been entertaining but they have won the WC four times and been to finals many times. Besides, only Japan had anything close to "flare" this WC. Not England, not Croatia, not Brazil, not Argentina etc.

[marko]

France in another final and people are complaining