Last night, the football France team met Belgium in the semi-finals of the League of Nations. The opportunity for the Belgians to take revenge after the defeat in the 2018 World Cup.
The context
These are two teams that were favourites in Euro 2021. However, their runs during the competition were disappointing. Since the Euro, France have won against Finland and drawn 2 times. Despite difficult matches, the team is first in Group D qualifying for the World Cup. The France have won their last 3 competitive matches against Belgium, that's as much as in the first 9 (3 draws, 3 losses). While Belgium have won their last 3 games. The team is easily first in Group E qualifying for the World Cup with a 9-point lead. The last confrontation between the two teams dates back to July 10, 2018. In this World Cup semi-final match, France beat Belgium (1-0), before winning the final title. A rather favorable context for the Belgians, who have the opportunity to take their revenge against the blues. But the France has history with it. Belgium is the opponent that France has faced most often in its history: 74 matches so far, at least 35 more than against any other team.
The match
A historic semi-final, which will bring Belgium or France for the first time in the final of the competition. On the Belgian side, we play in 3-4-3. In front of Courtois as goalkeeper, the defence consisted of Alderweireld, Denayer and Vertonghen. Castagne, Witsel, Tielemans and Carrasco will start in midfield, while De Bruyne, Lukaku and E. Hazard formed the Red Devils' attack. The France opted for 3-4-1-2. Hugo Lloris (c) is in the cage. In front of him, Koundé, Varane and L. Hernandez to protect him. While Pavard, Pogba, Rabiot and T. Hernandez will play in between. Griezmann will be in charge of feeding Benzema and Mbappe in attack. Belgium wants to seize the opportunity to take revenge. The team was quickly dangerous (4th minute), De Bruyne volleyed a centre badly pushed away by Koundé, but Lloris diverted it from a reflex stop. The first 15 minutes were Belgian, they took possession of the ball on their own. The French are folded in defense and suffer the opposing pressing. It was not until the 23rd minute that we saw a first dangerous French opportunity with a volley from Mbappé caught by Courtois. The Blues are better, but do not really pose problems to the Belgian defense. The turning point of the match 31st minute, E.Hazard lost his balance in the French box after an intervention by Koundé. However, the referee Mr. Siebert did not whistle and let the game continue, while the Belgians claimed a penalty. Just as the French will demand one, a few seconds later. Indeed, Denayer prevents Mbappé from shooting and would have touched the ball with his hand in passing. A semi-final for the moment dominated by Belgium. The final could move away for the France. Belgium opened the scoring 37th minute, De Bruyne passed to Carrasco who controlled, then drew in force from the right to the ground, Lloris was beaten! GOAL FOR BELGIUM! 1-0 For the Belgians The game resumes and the Belgians still dominate. The France is still folded in defense. 41st minute, De Bruyne, again, passes to Lukaku, the latter mystifies L.Hernandez dribbles and then scores with a ruthless strike. GOAL FOR BELGIUM! 2-0 For the Belgians On a counter-attack, Mbappé shot from a closed angle into Courtois' net. However, the France remained in a delicate position until half-time. 
Second half
If France want to go to the final, they will have to show another face in the second half. In the 48th minute, Pogba regained the lead from a Griezmann free-kick, but the ball went over the top. A few minutes later, Lukaku made a volley that ended up in the arms of Lloris. Overall, the first 10 minutes of the return from the locker room are balanced. 60th minute, the France monopolized the ball for a few minutes, which made the Belgians retreat. This also allowed Mbappe to centre in the box, but Griezmann popped up and cut it, but missed the frame. Reduction of the score 62nd minute, Mbappé once again manages to pass on his left side and center. A centre that finds Benzema, who turns and shoots a cross shot in pivot from the left. GOAL FOR FRANCE! More than 2-1 For the Belgians The France is domineering, the goal has given hope to the players. In the 68th minute, Griezmann provoked in the box and suffered a late tackle from Tielemans. The sanction falls after the viewing of the VAR, penalty for the Blues. It is Mbappé who will be responsible for pulling it. The latter shoots into the left window, Courtois dives on the right side but could not do anything. GOAL FOR FRANCE! 2-2 The match starts again Everything has to be done again for the Belgians, while the France can again hope to go to the final. From the 70th minute, both teams made substitutions. But it was the French who took over the match on their own. Both teams play on counter-attack but block respectively on the opposing goalkeeper. In the 86th minute, Mbappe saw his strike hit the left post, after a good one-two with Benzema. A few seconds later, it was Lukaku who scored by taking a centre from Carrasco. But the goal is not valid, the striker was offside. In stoppage time 90th minute, the France gets a free kick 25 meters in the axis. It is Pogba who will take care of pulling it. This one rolls the ball perfectly, but no luck, it ends up on the right square of the Belgian cage. A minute has just passed and new French attack. Mbappe finds Griezmann who extends to Pavard, the latter center back. Alderweireld misses the ball completely, but not T.Hernandez who controls and deposits a cross-shot from the left. GOAL FOR FRANCE! 3-2 For the France The end of the match is quiet and the blues play the clock. Victory for France, which overthrows Belgium. The France is in the final! https://twitter.com/equipedefrance/status/1446213568387485701/photo/1 Leading 2-0 at the break, the French were able to get back into the game and overturn it in the last minutes. A historic victory for France, who will play their first Nations League final against Spain.
