(Football news) Belgium are all set to play France in the Nations League semi final for a chance to play Spain in the final. France will be looking to bounce back from their shocking round of 16 exit at the Euros while Belgium will be very keen to end their trophy drought.
France Squad
Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris, Mike Maignan, Benoit Costil.
Defenders: Lucas Digne, Leo Dubois, Lucas Hernandez, Presnel Kimpembe, Jules Kounde, Benjamin Pavard, Dayot Upamecano, Raphael Varane, Theo Hernandez.
Midfielders: Matteo Guendouzi, Paul Pogba, Adrien Rabiot, Aurelien Tchouameni, Jordan Veretout
Forwards: Wissam Ben Yedder, Karim Benzema, Moussa Diaby, Antoine Griezmann, Anthony Martial, Kylian Mbappe.
Belgium Squad
Goalkeepers: Koen Casteels, Thibaut Courtois, Simon Mignolet
Defenders: Toby Alderweireld, Dedryck Boyata, Timothy Castagne, Jason Denayer, Thomas Foket, Jan Vertonghen
Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne, Leander Dendoncker, Thorgan Hazard, Alexis Saelemaekers, Youri Tielemans, Hans Vanaken, Axel Witsel
Forwards: Michy Batshuayi, Yannick Carrasco, Charles De Ketelaere, Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, Dodi Lukebakio, Leandro Trossard.
Also read: Spain end Italy's undefeated streak to reach the UEFA Nations League final
The last game between these two teams was in the 2018 World Cup Semifinal. France grabbed a narrow 1-0 victory on that occasion. Karim Benzema is in red hot form at the moment having scored 10 and created 7 goals in 8 games for Real Madrid this season. Romelu Lukaku on the other hand has had a decent start to his 2nd spell at Chelsea with 4 goals in 8 games.
N'golo Kante will be a big miss for France after recently testing positive for Covid. Mattéo Guendouzi could make his senior international debut in the absence of Kante. Thomas Meunier was initially named in the squad by Roberto Martinez but the fullback had to withdraw after an injury.
It is high time that this 'Golden generation' of Belgium wins a tournament. Despite being no. 1 in the world rankings for quite a while Belgium has never played in a tournament final. The Nations League will be a perfect time to do this. As for France there wouldn't be a better way to bounce back from the Euro disaster than winning the Nations League.
