Matuidi returns for France, Belgium draft in Dembele

Belgium's defender Vincent Kompany, midfielder Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco, Kevin De Bruyne, France's defender Samuel Umtiti, defender Benjamin Mendy and Belgium's defender Dedryck Boyata gather on the pitch ahead of their 2018 World Cup semi-final match at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg on July 10, 2018. PHOTO | GIUSEPPE CACACE |

By  AFP

What you need to know:

  • Martinez's change was a forced one, with right wing-back Thomas Meunier suspended and could prompt a change in formation.
  • Tottenham's Mousa Dembele, a central midfielder by trade, comes in and could deputise on the flank or see Kevin De Bruyne pushed wide in an attacking set-up from Martinez.

SAINT PETERSBURG

France boss Didier Deschamps and Belgium coach Roberto Martinez both made just one change for Tuesday's blockbuster World Cup semi-final between the neighbouring European nations in Saint Petersburg.

Juventus midfielder Blaise Matuidi returned from suspension for France in place of Corentin Tolisso as Deschamps named the same side that beat Argentina 4-3 in the last 16.

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Martinez's change was a forced one, with right wing-back Thomas Meunier suspended and could prompt a change in formation.

Tottenham's Mousa Dembele, a central midfielder by trade, comes in and could deputise on the flank or see Kevin De Bruyne pushed wide in an attacking set-up from Martinez.

France (4-2-3-1)

Hugo Lloris (capt); Benjamin Pavard, Raphael Varane, Samuel Umtiti, Lucas Hernandez; Paul Pogba, N'Golo Kante; Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, Blaise Matuidi; Olivier Giroud

Coach: Didier Deschamps (FRA)

Belgium (3-4-3)

Thibaut Courtois; Toby Alderweireld, Vincent Kompany, Jan Vertonghen; Mousa Dembele, Marouane Fellaini, Axel Witsel, Nacer Chadli; Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard (capt)

Coach: Roberto Martinez (ESP)

Referee: Andres Cunha (URU)

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