World Cup: Semifinal predictions – A champion versus a first-timer

The final four of football is about to begin. We have two former world champions and two nations trying to add the first star to their crest.

For my quarterfinal predictions, I went 50/50. France and Croatia were the correct picks while I had England and Belgium both going home. France is the only semifinalist I predicted pre-tournament that was correct. Just goes to show how unpredictable this World Cup has been. No more time wasting, let’s see if my semifinal picks can be more correct.

France 2-1 Belgium

This will be such an interesting and exciting game to watch. Both teams are loaded with talent for the present and the future. We could see this match for many more tournaments to come. In 2018, France is better than Belgium and will move on to their third World Cup final since 1998.

The French midfield will have a significant edge over the Belgian midfield. With Pogba and Kante, France has the ability to allow the midfield to win the ball back from Belgium and those two can start counter attacks right after winning possession back. For Belgium, Witsel and Fellaini don’t offer that same skill to start the offense. De Bruyne will look to track back to win the ball and Chadli can start moving forward from that left wing back position.

Even with Belgium’s defensive line changing from a back-three in possession to a back-four when defending, it is hard to stop France from many different angles. The midfield is the key area that will win France this game. They win by just a hair.

Croatia 1-1 England (Croatia wins on penalties)

I am so tempted to pick England but I can’t. The last two rounds I picked against England and they won. This time, I think their World Cup ends by the hands of a penalty shootout. I am totally convinced that the only way Croatia can win the World Cup is by winning four straight penalty shootouts. They already have won two and Wednesday will be the third.

Next: France battles Belgium in World Cup semifinal

England’s midfield will lack any control with Modric and Rakitic winning possession and keeping it constantly. Maguire and Stones will face their toughest aerial test with Mario Mandzukic up top for Croatia, the best striker they have faced all tournament. The bright spot for England is they can expose Croatia’s slower defense, especially with the absence of Vrsaljko.

My gut is telling me Croatia will win this game. I’m sticking with the gut feeling and predicting a France vs. Croatia final. Let’s see how wrong I am come Wednesday evening.