The 2018 FIFA World Cup is nearing it business end and with the quarter-finals done and dusted, semi-finals and final awaits.
The penultimate round of the World Cup will see France, Belgium, England and Croatia in action, making it an all-European cast for the semi-finals.
Such an occurrence has happened for only the fifth time in the history of the tournament, with the latest being 2006, which in fact was hosted by Germany – an European team.
The other three times were 1934 in Italy, 1966 in England and 1982 in Spain — all incidentally being European nations.
France will face Belgium in the first semi-final next Tuesday on July 10 at the Saint Petersburg Stadium, whereas England will take on Croatia in the second semi-final on Wednesday, July 11 at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
France were world champions in 2002 and reached the final in 2006 which they lost to Italy. On paper, France were the most balanced team before the start of the 2018 World Cup and they came to their elements during a 4-2 annihilation of Argentina in the round of 16.
In the second match, Belgium defeated five-time champions Brazil 2-1 in the FIFA World Cup quarter-final in Kazan to reach the last-four stage for the first time since 1986.
A Fernandinho own goal and a brilliant Kevin De Bruyne strike gave Belgium a spot in the last four for the second time after 1986 and sent Brazil home at the quarter-final stage for the third time in the last four World Cups. Brazil dominated possession and carved out chance after chance but could not score until substitute Renato Augusto headed home Philippe Coutinho’s cross 14 minutes from time.
Harry Maguire and Dele Alli scored as England defeated Sweden 2-0 to reach their first World Cup semi-final since 1990. The Swedes were no match for the fluent English in their FIFA World Cup 2018 quarter-final at the Samara Arena on Saturday.
England had won the World Cup in 1966 and thereafter, reached the quarter-finals in 1970. They did not qualify for the World Cup in 1974 and 1978.
In the second match, Croatia beat hosts Russia 4-3 on penalties after the teams were level at 2-2 following extra time in their World Cup quarter-final on Saturday and will meet now England in the semi-finals.
Croatia defender Domagoj Vida put them 2-1 ahead from a Luka Modric corner in the first period of extra time but Russia’s Mario Fernandes headed an equaliser with five minutes remaining, much to the delight of the partisan crowd at the Fisht Stadium.
Denis Cheryshev’s swerving left-footer from the edge of the box had opened the scoring for Russia in the 31st minute of normal time but an unmarked Andrej Kramaric headed in a cross from Mario Mandzukic eight minutes later to restore parity.