Belgium and France are set to clash in the second semi-final of UEFA Nations League 2020/21.
Venue: Juventus Stadium
Key Statistics
- Belgium and France last met in the 2018 World Cup semi-finals, with the latter winning the game.
- The Belgian Red Devils reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2020 before losing to eventual winners Italy while Les Bleus were stunned by Switzerland in the round of 16.
- Both teams topped Groups A2 and A3 respectively to reach the final four of the Nations League.
- The winners of the tie will face either Spain or Italy in the finals on Sunday.
Head to Head record
Belgium have the edge over defending World Cup champions France in terms of head-to-head records, winning 30 times ( France – 25, Draws – 19)
Recent form
Belgium: W L W W W
France: D L D D W
Belgium
Belgium, the no.1 ranked side, was highly speculated to end their trophy drought in the Euro 2020 buy they fell short against eventual winners Italy in the quarter-finals.
The pressure continues to increase on manager Roberto Martinez with each passing tournament, and now he will look to end the hoodoo in the Nations League.
The Red Devils would look to capitalise on the impressive international break they enjoyed last month.
Furthermore, there is no better time for Belgium to seek revenge on France for their defeat in the 2018 World Cup semi-finals.
Belgium squad for Nations League semi-finals
Goalkeepers: Koen Casteels (Wolfsburg), Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Simon Mignolet (Club Brugge)
Defenders: Toby Alderweireld (al-Duhail), Dedryck Boyata (Hertha Berlin), Timothy Castagne (Leicester City), Jason Denayer (Lyon), Thomas Meunier (Borussia Dortmund), Jan Vertonghen (Benfica)
Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne (Man City) , Leander Dendoncker (Wolves), Thorgan Hazard (Dortmund), Alexis Saelemaekers (AC Milan), Youri Tielemans (Leicester), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge), Axel Witsel (Dortmund)
Forwards: Michy Batshuayi (Beşiktaş), Yannick Carrasco (Atletico Madrid), Charles De Ketelaere (Club Brugge), Eden Hazard (Real Madrid), Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea), Dodi Lukebakio (Wolfsburg), Leandro Trossard (Brighton)
Possible Line-ups
Thibaut Courtois; Thomas Meunier, Toby Alderweireld, Jason Denayer, Jan Vertonghen; Kevin De Bruyne, Thorgan Hazard (Dortmund), Youri Tielemans; Yannick Carrasco, Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku.
France
France haven’t been at their best since the Euros as they have mustered only one win in their last six games.
Didier Deschamps suffered a disappointing campaign in Euros, where they were defeated by Switzerland in the round of 16, with Kylian Mbappe missing a crucial penalty.
They also failed to gain some momentum in the last international break, picking up 2 draws and 1 win.
Now, the defending World champions would look to remind everyone who they really are when they face Belgium in the semi-finals of the Nations League.
France squad for Nations League semi-finals
Goalkeepers: Benoît Costil (Bordeaux), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur), Mike Maignan (AC Milan)
Defenders: Lucas Digne (Everton), Léo Dubois (Lyon), Lucas Hernández (Bayern), Theo Hernández (AC Milan), Presnel Kimpembe (Paris Saint-Germain), Jules Koundé (Sevilla), Benjamin Pavard (Bayern), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern), Raphael Varane (Man. United)
Midfielders: Matteo Guendouzi (Marseille), Paul Pogba (Man United), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus), Aurélien Tchouaméni (Monaco), Jordan Veretout (Roma)
Forwards: Wissam Ben Yedder (Monaco), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Moussa Diaby (Leverkusen), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Anthony Martial (Man United), Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain)
Possible Line-ups
Hugo Lloris, Benjamin Pavard, Raphael Varane, Presnel Kimpembe, Lucas Hernández, Paul Pogba, Adrien Rabiot, Jordan Veretout, Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappé, Karim Benzema.
Prediction: France 3 – 2 Belgium
