How funny, because when it comes to World Cups, France has tended to tilt toward the extremes of sterling or horrifying. It either breaks through to the title and upsets Brazil as in 1998; or scores zero goals in a dud de duds in 2002; or bursts past Spain, Brazil and Portugal to the final in 2006; or presents the world an unusually depressing stew of dissension in 2010; or makes a refreshing account of itself to the quarterfinal in 2014. This time it has played its first six matches here as a bastion of competence, able to master whatever a match asks, exhilarating on attack against Argentina, smashing on defense against Belgium.<doc-sep>Last updated on .From the section World Cup 2018 Fifa World Cup semi-final: France v Belgium Venue: St Petersburg Date: Tuesday, 10 July, 19:00 BST Coverage: Live on BBC One, full radio commentary on BBC Radio 5 live and text commentary online and in BBC Sport app It has been billed as the "derby between pals". Tuesday's World Cup semi-final pits 1998 winners France against the 'golden generation' from neighbours Belgium. Both teams were among the pre-tournament favourites, but only one can reach Sunday's final in Moscow. Victory would set up a showpiece against Croatia or England - who meet on Wednesday - but who will progress? BBC Sport takes a look at a fascinating battle both on and off the pitch. A clash of styles? There have also been 19 draws between the two European sides In players such as Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard, Kevin de Bruyne, Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe and Paul Pogba, these sides boast some of the world's most devastating attacking players. But their managers utilise the quality at their disposal in different ways. France boss Didier Deschamps - who is aiming to emulate Mario Zagallo and Franz Beckenbauer by winning the World Cup as both a player and manager - has often been criticised for failing to get the most out of his squad. Functionality, rather than flair, has been the key so far in Russia. They needed a late own goal in their opening match against Australia, edged past Peru 1-0 in their second, then played out a dull goalless draw with Denmark. They did impress in beating Argentina 4-3 in the last 16, but that kind of open game is not Deschamps' style. "If you are looking for 5-0, don't come to a World Cup, you won't get this," he said. While Deschamps has not always garnered positive headlines, Martinez's spell as Belgium manager has been almost flawless. A surprise appointment, taking the job three months after being sacked by Everton, he has had a big impact. He has not tasted defeat in a competitive game as Belgium boss, his last loss in a non-friendly match the Toffees' 3-0 defeat by Sunderland in May 2016. Martinez has overseen a run of 19 wins and five draws, culminating in an impressive 2-1 victory over Brazil in the quarter-finals. Belgium's haul of 14 goals is the most at this stage of a World Cup since 2002, when eventual winners Brazil had 15. Speaking after that game, former England captain Alan Shearer said: "The big question about Belgium was 'are you a team of individuals or can you come together as a team?' He has gelled them together. "That has got to come from the manager. There is a huge difference between where they are now and where they were two years ago." Time to deliver for 'golden generation' England know all about having a 'golden generation' of players. external-link Theirs failed to win any international silverware, but Belgium's are on course to win the biggest prize of all. The Red Devils won all of their games in the group stage and came from 2-0 down to beat Japan in the last 16 before that superb quarter-final showing against the five-time champions. They exited at the quarter-final stage of both the 2014 World Cup and 2016 European Championship, so is time running out for this talented crop of players? "It is important for everyone to understand that Belgium has a population of 11 million and the current generation of players did not happen by accident," said Martinez. "There is a very clear structure within professional football in Belgium. It is a country focused on developing its young talent. "We can only be ourselves and we already have time to use this World Cup as an advantage with the newest generations." 'Bizarre' situation as Henry plots France's downfall Henry (right) and Deschamps (left) lifted the World Cup trophy together in 1998 Possibly the most intriguing storyline of this semi-final comes off the pitch. Thierry Henry was born near Paris and scored 53 goals in 123 appearances for France, winning the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000. But he is now plotting his home country's downfall as assistant manager of Belgium. "Thierry Henry is really important for us," said defender Toby Alderweireld. "He tells us stories from his playing days and they inspire us. "If he says something, it always turns out to be something helpful. His presence, his World Cup experience, is all a very positive influence." Tuesday's match pitches him against a former team-mate in Deschamps. The pair were never beaten in the 21 matches they played together for France. Deschamps said: "It is bizarre because he is French and will be on the opponents' bench. But he is someone I really appreciate and I am happy for him." Belgium midfielder De Bruyne is sure Henry "will want us to come out on top" - but France full-back Lucas Hernandez thinks it is a win-win situation for the former Arsenal and Barcelona forward. "All France knows him, what a great player he was and what an icon for football," said Hernandez. "But if we win, he will also be happy because he is a Frenchman." 'A derby between pals' This meeting will be the first between bordering nations since 1986, when West Germany met France. Belgium playmaker Hazard was born near the French border, with Le Soir newspaper calling him "the most French of all the Belgians". A photograph which has surfaced on social media external-link appears to show Hazard and his brothers in France kits. Le Soir describes this game as "a derby between pals", adding: "This 74th derby between France and Belgium will be played in an atmosphere of a joyous neighbourhood get-together." In the village of Warneton, which straddles the border, people are struggling to pick a team to back. "I think we'll support France, but also Belgium, at least a little bit, because they're our friends," one resident told France3. external-link Another said: "We're happy because we support both, and what's great, is that one of them will make it to the final!" Three key head-to-heads Antoine Griezmann v Romelu Lukaku Another tournament, another in which Griezmann has shone for France. The Atletico Madrid forward netted six times at Euro 2016 to win the Golden Boot as his team finished runners-up to Portugal. This time he will be looking to go one step further. Griezmann has scored three times so far in Russia, one fewer than Lukaku. England's Harry Kane leads the way with six. Griezmann has scored seven goals in his past six knockout matches in major tournaments, while Lukaku has been directly involved in 20 goals in his past 13 games for Belgium - 17 goals and three assists. Kylian Mbappe v Eden Hazard Teenager Mbappe announced himself on the world stage with a brilliant man-of-the-match performance in France's 4-3 victory over Argentina. The Paris St-Germain player put on a devastating attacking show - his lightning speed and keen eye for goal helping him score twice and win a penalty. Prior to that, his goal against Peru made him - at 19 years and 183 days - the youngest player to score for France in a major tournament. Belgium captain Hazard, meanwhile, has already chipped in with two goals and two assists. Both players like to run with the ball, too. Of those left in the competition, Mbappe (37) and Hazard (30) are the top two players for dribbles attempted. "He apparently used to watch videos of me when he was younger," Hazard told RMC Sport. external-link "Now, it's the other way around. I have a lot of respect for what he's achieved at his age." Paul Pogba v Kevin de Bruyne The battle for midfield superiority - made in Manchester. United's Pogba and City's De Bruyne will be looking to exert their authority in the middle of the park, setting the tempo for their side. As their main statistics show, De Bruyne has created three times as many chances as Pogba so far, but the Frenchman is able to win the ball back more often than his opponent.<doc-sep>A goal scored on a header early in the second half by Samuel Umtiti, combined with a brilliant defensive performance was enough to carry France past Belgium 1-0 in Tuesday's semifinal in Saint Petersburg. With the win, Les Bleus have secured a ticket to the 2018 FIFA World Cup final in Moscow. It's the third time France has reached the final in the last six World Cups. An unbelievably disciplined defensive showing from the French team left a talented, attacking Belgium team with few options. Two years after losing the Euro 2016 at home, France is now one win away from its second World Cup title as it seeks redemption at the highest of stages. A Umtiti header found the back of the net on a corner kick 51 minutes in for the match's lone goal, and he and his fellow defenders kept Belgium from threatening much. Roberto Martinez's team was held to just three shots on frame. Belgium had 64 percent possession but struggled with the speed of Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann, while its midfield was outclassed by Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kante. Umtiti's header was the perfect start to the second half for France, sending the blue fans into a frenzy. Here's the winner: And it was nearly 2-0 moments later when Mbappe almost pulled off one of the best assists in Cup history by setting up Olivier Giroud: But the lone goal was enough. It was a deserved win by Didier Deschamp's team, which had 19 shots, 10 more than Belgium. Hugo Lloris made some incredible saves, but as did Belgium's Thibaut Courtois, who kept his team in it late. France now flies into Sunday's final on a hot streak, having defeated Argentina, Uruguay and Belgium in the knockout stage. The team will take the winner of England or Croatia in the final, with those two playing on Wednesday. The loser faces Belgium in Saturday's third-place match. You can stream every World Cup match on fuboTV (Try for free). Relive commentary from Tuesday's France vs. Belgium semifinal If the live blog doesn't load properly, click here.<doc-sep>
Photo : Shaun Botterill ( Getty ) Among the 22 players on the pitch during today’s World Cup semifinal that pit France against Belgium, there were a solid half dozen capable of explosive, awe-inspiring feats of greatness. Unfortunately, none of them were able to do anything terribly explosive or awe-inspiring, so France’s 1-0 win to send them to the World Cup final wasn’t as entertaining as it could’ve been. The match wasn’t awful, exactly. It started auspiciously. The opening 20 minutes or so was an exhibition of just how much speed and technical quality both sides have, as both bombed up and down the pitch to either create or defend against one of the endless back and forth counterattacks. Still, most of the silky Eden Hazard touches and the blistering Kylian Mbappé sprints eventually fizzled out before they became anything too compelling. On the French side, most of this momentum-killing fell to Olivier Giroud, who would’ve had a hat trick if the goal were up near the stadium ceiling rather than down there rooted to the field. Giroud’s most egregious failure was when he botched this outrageous piece of skill from World Cup star Mbappé that would’ve instantly become one of the moments of the tournament: For those who care for such things, the game was pretty interesting from a tactical point of view. Belgium’s most lethal weapon in their astonishing upset win over Brazil in the previous game was their counterattack. With Brazil looking to dominate possession deep in Belgian territory, the Red Devils’ strategic, intense pressing from deep, and the three players they kept up near the halfway line all match, meant whenever their opponents turned the ball over, Belgium were just a pass away from sending a couple players galloping towards Brazil’s goal with favorable numbers. France weren’t so generous. With no intention on giving the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, and Hazard that much space in front of their defenders, France sat back much deeper and forced Belgium into trying to create chances through long, methodical possessions. Against France’s physically imposing and compact defense and midfield, Belgium had neither the strength nor the guile to consistently break down France’s defensive block. On the other end, France’s counterattackers feasted on Belgium’s exposed defense. Hence why France had only 36 percent of possession but took 19 shots to Belgium’s nine. The tactical stuff was all well and good from an intellectual perspective, but it didn’t offer much visceral thrill. Neither did the match’s sole goal, which came from yet another set piece in a tournament lousy with set piece goals: At no point before or after Samuel Umtiti’s 51st minute goal were France under much sustained pressure. This has been a consistent aspect of France’s entire tournament so far, as they’ve yet to really feel the heat during any match. They’ve only trailed once this World Cup, for less than 10 minutes during a game against Argentina in which France had no trouble breezing into the Argie penalty box whenever they felt like it. Not once have France ever looked like losing, not even today against a great and hungry Belgium team fresh off what is still the most impressive win of the tournament. With their spot in the final secure, France will be the big favorite against either England or Croatia. If they keep playing with as much defensive solidity and counterattacking threat as they’ve demonstrated all tournament long, they shouldn’t find it too hard to lift what would be just their second ever World Cup trophy. For the sake of us neutrals, let’s hope France’s eventual opponent coaxes a little more flair from France’s assorted stars than they were made to show today.