Four Parisians into the semi-finals!
Our three France internationals Kylian Mbappé, Presnel Kimpembe and Alphonse Areola take on the Belgium of clubmate Thomas Meunier – suspended – in the World Cup semi-final in St Petersburg on Tuesday 10 July.
Eight becomes four. After defeating Edinson Cavani’s Uruguay 2-0, Les Bleus now take on Thomas Meunier’s Belgium – 2-1 winners over Brazil and Neymar Jr, Thiago Silva and Marquinhos.
“We are very tightly knit squad and we know what we are doing,” declared Kylian Mbappé after qualifying for the final four. “But we also know we still have a long way to go. We have come a long way, but the hardest part remains.”
Thomas Meunier is expecting a very tough challenge: “In terms of quality, France has an exceptional squad and I could name each and every player. It’s really 50-50. There isn’t a favourite. I am very sad to be missing this match through suspension.”
While it promises to be a fierce contest, one thing is sure: Paris Saint-Germain will have at least one representative in the World Cup final. The other semi-final pits England against Croatia on 11 July in Moscow.