With just four teams left in the World Cup, only one prediction can be made with a degree of certainty. The Europeans will retain the coveted trophy. Other than that, it’s a little harder to pick winners from Belgium, France, England and Croatia. But let’s try anyway …

France v Belgium

Before the quarter-finals, Les Bleus were the sentimental choice to go all the way. A fabulous squad of players were bitterly unlucky not to prevail on home soil at Euro 2016. Being inside the Stade de France and watching the stunned supporters shuffle out of the stadium after losing to Portugal in the final was a dispiriting experience.

But there was always a silver lining. Russia 2018 was just two years away. Paul Pogba, Antoine Griezmann, Blaise Matuidi and the gang would all be two years older and smarter and tournament veterans. They wouldn’t fall short a second time.

And yet, they just might, for precisely the same exasperating reason they failed in France two years ago. They are still coached by a coach who considers a touchline risk to be wearing bright socks with a dark suit. Didier Deschamps still won’t take off the hand brake. In Kylian Mbappe, Deschamps has the quickest, boldest and most entertaining World Cup teenager since Michael Owen at France ’98, but he keeps the speedster in a straitjacket.

With the exception of their 4-3 win against Argentina, the French have done just enough to triumph. They have edged past opponents without ever being truly exhilarating.

The same couldn’t been said of Belgium until the quarter-final. The Red Devils were a revelation.

Rather than hold back against the Brazilians, coach Roberto Martinez unleashed his beasts like a demented zookeeper. Romelu Lukaku was pushed out wide, Kevin De Bruyne roamed where he pleased as a false No.9 and Eden Hazard closed any remaining gaps. As a trio, they were unstoppable and the World Cup finally got to see the best of De Bruyne.

In their respective quarter-finals, Belgium was everything that France wasn’t: positive, quick, enterprising and entertaining. The Belgians have quietly turned into the aesthetic, attacking side that their opponents were expected to be.

Besides, if France fails, the general feeling is that Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Samuel Umtiti and Pogba could still peak at Qatar 2022. For Belgium, the time is now. Martinez’s key performers are in — or approaching — their 30s.

Having kept Neymar quiet, Vincent Kompany should lead the defence in handling Olivier Giroud.

France, on the other hand, must nullify De Bruyne, Hazard, and Lukaku. Form favours the Belgians. Big-game experience favours France.

If the Belgians can handle the biggest stage of their international careers, they can handle Les Bleus.

Prediction: Belgium

England v Croatia

Many Three Lions fans thought this day would never come. For what feels like an eternity, they have dreamt of this moment. And finally, it has arrived. At long last, England faces half-decent opposition.

Honestly, the World Cup has never seen such a favourable run to the semi-finals. There hasn’t been a draw this straightforward outside of a kindergarten art class.

Panama, Tunisia, Belgium, Colombia and Sweden sound more like exotic locations for a James Bond movie, rather than credible World Cup opposition. Only the Belgians came with any pedigree. They also came with their reserves and still beat England’s reserves in a game both sides battled to lose.

This is not to downplay the Three Lions’ first semi-final appearance in 28 years, only to emphasise the stark contrast in quality. Croatia will offer that credible World Cup opposition for the first time.

Luka Modric is the most naturally gifted playmaker left in the competition, with Ivan Rakitic alongside and Ivan Perisic and Ante Rebic offering solid support out wide. But they may have one ageing artist too many.

Rather like the Belgians, it’s a case of now or never for Croatia’s veterans. Their form is fine, but the fitness remains a nagging concern. Two knockout games in a row went to penalties. By the end of the titanic battle with the Russians, the Croats looked shattered.

Their superb goalkeeper Danijel Subasic, the shootout hero against Denmark and Russia, appeared to injure his hamstring in the quarter-final and may struggle to recover in time. In some respects, Croatia is technically brilliant but increasingly tired. England, on the other hand, are less technical, but better rested.

Gareth Southgate had no extra time and no injuries in the Three Lions’ comfortable win against Sweden. He also has Harry Kane, the major contender for the Golden Boot and with something to prove perhaps after a subdued performance against Sweden.

Momentum remains England’s greatest ally, along with terrific organisation and delivery at set-pieces. Southgate must mind the gaps on either side of his back three and neutralise the threat of Modric to have any chance of victory.

He could be tempted to throw in Eric Dier, another defensive midfielder, to combat Croatia’s extra man in central areas. Jordan Henderson may be overworked in chasing both Modric and Rakitic, but the risk of breaking up a settled line-up is probably one not worth taking.

The Three Lions could conceivably reach the final, but only if they manage Modric in midfield and then utilise Kane to plot a path to goal.

If that happens, then this sunny island will hear Three Lions being sung more than Majulah Singapura.

Prediction: England (after extra time)

 

 

 

 

 

Neil Humphreys
Singapore’s best selling author and Football columnist