MX23RW : Sunday, July 15 18:10:00
Jul 10, 2018 at 7pm UK at ​ Krestovsky Stadium
Attendance: 64,286
France
1-0
Belgium
Umtiti (51')
Kante (87'), Mbappe (90')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Hazard (63'), Alderweireld (71'), Vertonghen (90')

Team News: France, Belgium make one change apiece for World Cup semi-final

Team News: France, Belgium make one change apiece
© Reuters
Blaise Matuidi returns to France's starting lineup to face Belgium, while the Red Devils replace the injured Thomas Meunier with Mousa Dembele in their only change.

France and Belgium have made one change apiece for this evening's World Cup semi-final at the Krestovsky Stadium in St Petersburg.

Les Bleus welcome back Juventus midfielder Blaise Matuidi following the one-match ban that ruled him out of the 2-0 win against Uruguay in the last round.

Corentin Tolisso, pushed into an unfamiliar role for that quarter-final triumph four days ago, is the man to make way from the starting lineup.

That means Olivier Giroud retains his place in the forward line, alongside Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Greizmann, despite failing to register a single shot on target this tournament.

Belgium boss Roberto Martinez has kept changes to a minimum, too, with the injured Thomas Meunier the only player to make way from the 2-1 win against Brazil at the weekend.

The introduction of Mousa Dembele will likely mean Nacer Chadli slotting into a right wing-back role and Tottenham Hotspur ace Dembele being used on the opposite flank.

France have beaten the Red Devils in all three previous encounters in major tournaments, including on two occasions at the World Cup.

France: Lloris; Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, L.Hernandez; Pogba, Kante, Matuidi; Mbappe, Giroud, Griezmann
Subs: Kimpembe, Lemar, Dembele, Tolisso, N'zonzi, Mandanda, Rami, Fekir, Sidibe, Thauvin, Mendy, Areola

Belgium: Courtois; Alderweireld, Kompany, Vertonghen; Chadli, Witsel, Fellaini, Dembele; De Bruyne, Lukaku, E.Hazard
Subs: Mignolet, Casteels, Vermaelen, Boyata, Dendoncker, Tielemans, T. Hazard, Carrasco, Mertens, Januzaj, Batshuayi

Follow all of the action as it unfolds with Sports Mole's live text coverage right here.

Share this article now:
Eden Hazard in action for Belgium on June 2, 2018
Read Next:
Giroud: Hazard, Mbappe "are both geniuses"
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!
Tables

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account