10 Jul World Cup Semi-Final Previews

And then there were four.

A spot in the World Cup final is within touching distance for France, Belgium, England and Croatia, with all four European nations daring to dream of becoming world champions.

Here is a preview of the two tantalising semi-final matchups.

France v Belgium (Saint Petersburg Stadium St. Petersburg) – Live on Optus Sport and SBS from 4AM

This sets up to be the pick of the two semi-final clashes with arguably the two best performed teams meeting in an impossible match to predict.

Not many would have thought France would make it to the semi-final after they scraped past the Socceroos in the opening game of the tournament, however they have improved with every game and now sit favourites to hold the cup aloft.

The French have dispatched quality opposition in Argentina and Uruguay en route to the semis and are well battle-hardened heading in to what will be their toughest test to date.

The attacking duo of Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe have gelled together well while Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante will be confident of winning the midfield battle.

Belgium have had some close calls during their run including a last-second win over Japan, but they will be highly confident after getting past tournament favourites Brazil in their last game.

They absorbed an incredible amount of pressure from Neymar and co. and will no doubt give a good account of themselves in this one.

The likes of Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne will strike fear into any opponent but the class of Didier Deschamps’ Les Bleus will outshine the gloss of Spaniard Roberto Martinez’s Red Devils.

Prediction: France 2 – Belgium 1

England v Croatia (Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow) – Live on Optus Sport and SBS from 4AM

Would you believe it? After 28 years England are back in the semi-finals of the World Cup.

Being a relatively inexperienced side with a first-time manager at the helm in Gareth Southgate, England were given almost no hope heading into the tournament, but the stars have aligned and the cards are falling their way.

They have had contributions from everybody including Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Jordan Pickford and even Leicester City’s Harry Maguire who scored against Sweden.

England might have been blessed with a relatively easy draw thus far, but Croatia will test them.

The Croatians were the best performed team in the group stages winning three from three, but have since stagnated in their last two games.

They have reached the brink of elimination on both occasions but managed to step up in two consecutive penalty shootouts and keep their World Cup hopes alive.

Croatia are a well-disciplined and talented side with the likes of Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic, Ivan Rakitic and Mario Mandzukic a threat upfront.

Are Croatia destined to win after coming through two consecutive penalty shootouts, or will England get their fairy tale ending?

Prediction: England 1 – Croatia 1 (England win on penalties)

Source: SEN Football