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Only four teams remain among the thirty two nations that were competing in the month long FIFA World Cup, Russia 2018. And the big guns Argentina, Brazil, Spain, and Portugal are already on their way home. It is Belgium, France, England, and Croatia who have survived till the end. The semi-finals are round the corner and it will be interesting to see who wins the trophy. 

The quarter-finals were not a witness of games that can be referred to World Cup Classics but the highlights were surely nations like Spain, Brazil, and Argentina being knocked out. 

With four teams left standing in Russia, the semi-finals start from the 10th of July, the first contest is between Belgium and France; Croatia and England will get face to face on 11th of July. 

Belgium advanced in the semis after crashing out Brazil 2-1 in their biggest ever World Cup wins. Belgium with their all round performance have scored 14 goals in their five matches so far and this is only the second time they are in the semis. France on the other side booked their spot in the semis after defeating Uruguay, 2 goals to 0. 

The two teams have met 73 times in their history of football with Belgium winning 30 and France 24, while 19 matches were drawn. The two nations met in the World Cup once in 1986 where France had won by 4-2. The contest at St. Petersburg on Tuesday will be their 2nd meeting in the World Cup and a spectacular match waits. Belgium has performed outstandingly during the event while topping group G and coming back from a 0-2 deficit to defeat Japan, and then sending favorites Brazil home. 

The second Contest is to be held in the Luzhiniki Stadium on Wednesday between Croatia and England. This World cup has seen Croatia fighting against the odds and somehow drilling their way to fix a spot in the semis. They have survived two penalty shoot outs to reach here, in the quarter-finals they defeated the hosts Russia in the penalties, thanks to their goalkeeper, Danijel Subasic. It is the 2nd time in their history that they have reached the semis of the Cup through the likes of Mario Mandzukic and Ivan Rakitic. 

England on the other side has reached the semi-final stages for the first time since 1990 and the English fans cannot stop chanting, ?It?s coming home.? They defeated Sweden in the quarter-finals with a 2-0 win and their efficiency was a key factor in the triumph. Their savior is Jordan Pickford, their goalkeeper who has played a key role throughout the tournament. Harry Kane the young striker is not to be forgotten, he has 6 goals in this year?s World Cup, the most by any player. 

The final will be played on Sunday, 15th of July at the Luzhiniki Stadium. 

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