Belgium and France offer plenty of fire power

ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA — Considering the attacking strength of France and Belgium, there’s potential for a goal-fest when the European neighbours meet in soccer’s World Cup semifinals.

There was less at stake the last time the teams went head-tohead at the World Cup; a 4-2 victory for France in the third-place match in 1986. That was the last competitive match between the two countries, but there have been eight exhibition games.

Belgium won two of those, including the last one: an exhibition three years ago at Stade de France when the Belgians took a three-goal lead five minutes into the second half and held on to win, 4-3.

With the second-youngest roster at the World Cup, France has shown no fear and advanced to its first World Cup semifinal since 2006 led by 19-year-old forward Kylian Mbappe and a pair of inexperienced attacking fullbacks in Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez.

“We’re not scared of anyone,” Pavard said.

“We’ve been confident from the start and we’re not asking any questions of ourselves.”

Coach Didier Deschamps, who was captain when France won the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European Championship, has instilled a steely mentality.

“He motivates the troops with strong words,” Pavard said. “We’re ready to go to war with him.”