France vs Belgium: A 'Final Quality' Match

This is one of the matches that could easily have been the Final of this 2018 World Cup in Russia. Both teams have the strength, speed and determination to be a FIFA World Champion, but only one can take a step forward to the finals.

France and Belgium will meet Tuesday in St. Petersburg, after both teams booked their spots among the most talented in the 2018 staging of the soccer World Cup. Both teams were among the favorites during the 'pre-tournament' analysis.

This fixture is one of the matches that could easily have been the 'Final' of this 2018 World Cup in Russia. Both teams have the strength, speed and determination to be a FIFA World Champion, but only one can take a giant step forward to the finals.

The Breakdown: Belgium

A Belgian national team, with players such as Kevin de Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard, who are part of the country's "golden generation," directing them is Spanish Coach Roberto Martinez, who has had a positive impact on this national outfit.

Belgium has waited over three decades to get as far as the semifinals in a World Cup. Now, with well-orchestrated teamwork, the "golden generation" is determined to fight for the championship. This is the team with the highest number of goals scored in the World Cup, 15, so far.

Complemented by one of the world's best goalkeepers, Thibaut Courtois.

The Breakdown: France

Facing them is France, the 1998 World Cup winner, that has players such as Kylian Mbappe, Paul Pogba or Antoine Griezman. They are trained by Didier Deschamps, who won the Cup in 1998 as a player and is now trying to do the same as a coach.

Another key piece in this national team, to possibly achieve the important victory, is the experience of its goalkeeper. Even though France has a young team, they also have a very experienced player on the team, the goalkeeper, Hugo Lloris.

The Conclusion

This match promises lots of action - a firecracker, on paper anyway.