The semi-final everyone is looking forward to in the hope of some good football, and given past games it could be a cracker. This blog's tip France face their biggest hurdle yet against a very imprepressive Belgium.
Gary Lineker’s eleventh word of the preview is - oh you guessed it - England. Matuidi is back for France, Belgium revert to a back three and bring in Dembele. And it’s the Belgians who dominated the early stages, regularly threatening the French goal with Lloris repelling them. France slowly recovered, forcing Courtois to emulate his opposite number. No goals at the break, largely down to strong defences though rather than poor attacking.
France continued to improve and got their reward when Umtiti put them in front. For a spell it looked like Belgium were out of it but it was then their turn to haul themselves back into contention, again forcing Lloris back into action.
In the midst of this top-class battle the commentators turned of course to the fact that Gareth Southgate is a similar age now to Alf Ramsey in 1966. Oh. My. God.
Belgium continued to battle away and bombarded the French goal in the closing minutes but stout French defending took them to the final. Where they will be overwhelming favourites whoever they play.
Il rentre a la maison.
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