2018 World Cup has entered the semifinals. Here’s a short profile of four countries that will compete in the round. 2018 World Cup trophy is now only contested by four countries. France, Belgium, Croatia and England are the remaining teams in this four-year tournament.
Here’s a brief profile of the four countries:
France
France managed to advance to the semi-finals after passing two countries of South America, Argentina and Uruguay in the knockout phase. Those two duel shows the quality that is owned by Les Bleus in this World Cup.
France has a great lineup of midfielders ranging from Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante as anchors, and a trio of Kylian Mbappe – Antoine Griezmann – Blaise Matuidi as attacking midfielders. France defense also includes solid as it can record three clean sheets in five matches.
The weakness of France is in the front sector because Olivier Giroud as the spearhead has not shown sharpness. It could be a source of confidence of the opposing team to be able stop France attack and focus more on Griezmann and Mbappe.
Belgium
Belgium has proven that they deserve to be in the semifinal after they beat Brazil in the quarter-final match. Belgium golden generation currently has uniform strength in all lines. Not until there, their backup players also have a quality that is not much different.
Victory over Brazil is a very big boost of confidence for Roberto Martinez squad. They will no longer be inferior when appearing in the last four. Belgium counterattack is something to watch out for because they have players with fast legs.
Belgium weakness in the defense is still quite visible, especially when they face a rush of offence that rely on speed.
Croatia
Croatia this year has successfully match the records of the legendary Croatian team that contains Zvonimir Boban, Davor Suker, and Alen Boksic 20 years ago. Now, Luka Modric and co. have a chance to be the best team in the history of Croatian football.
The presence of Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic, Ivan Perisic, Marcelo Brozovic, to Mateo Kovacic, made Croatia have a top quality midfield at the 2018 World Cup. Croatia will easily dominate possession with the presence of these players.
But Croatia’s main problem is that they have no sharp bombers. That’s what makes Croatia have to go through two matches in the knockout through a penalty shootout.
England
England are in a remarkable euphoria in the 2018 World Cup as they qualify for the semifinals. Confidence arises and bursts because a squad containing young players are able to answer doubts.
England will maximize their potential in the two steps they need to become champions. In terms of team, England this time have uniform strength. Harry Kane may be the main goal machine but England can also have a way out by relying on other players when Kane is closely guarded by opponents.
England skill use the scheme of dead ball is also a plus. But beyond that, the current UK began to struggle to find goals from open games.
Gareth Southgate must soon find a way to restore that ability so that England does not always hope in a dead ball situation that will not necessarily come at crucial moments.
