2018 FIFA WC: All you need to know about the first semifinal between France and Belgium

France and Belgium footballers in action during the first semifinal of 2018 FIFA World Cup. Image Source: twitter

XtraTime Web Desk: We all know that France has already reached the Final of FIFA World Cup 2018 by beating Belgium 1-0 at St. Petersburg earlier today thanks to a brilliant header by Samuel Umtiti. Now we will do some statistical analysis of the semifinal.

# France have reached their third World Cup final, also doing so in 1998 and 2006. Only Germany (8) and Italy (6) have reached more among European nations.





# Since reaching their first in 1998, France have now reached more World Cup finals than any other nation (3).





# This was Belgium’s first defeat of any kind since a friendly defeat against Spain in September 2016.





# France have beaten Belgium three times in World Cup matches, more than they’ve beaten any other side in the competition.





# Despite having almost two-thirds of the possession in this match (64%), Belgium attempted just nine shots – 10 fewer than France managed (19).