France the best-represented side in semi-final top-rated XI

France and Croatia emerged victorious from the midweek semi-final matches, leaving Belgium and England to wonder what could have been. Here, we run through the top rated XI from the two games, but for the purpose of rationality, the ratings used were those taken inside 90 minutes… 

Hugo Lloris - France 

The first of seven French representatives, Hugo Lloris was pivotal in France’s progression to their second successive major international final. Les Blues’ captain made three saves in the 1-0 win over Belgium, including a superb stop to deny clubmate Toby Alderweireld when the scores were level. An additional five accurate long balls saw him gain a WhoScored.com rating of 7.39. 

Sime Vrsaljko - Croatia 

Croatia right-back Sime Vrsaljko wasn’t even expected to feature against England, but made a remarkable recovery to start in defence and pressed forward well for the World Cup finalists. He provided the key assist for Ivan Perisic’s second half equaliser, that coming from his sole key pass in normal time, while one successful dribble inside 90 minutes contributed to a WhoScored.com rating of 6.61. 

Samuel Umtiti - France 

The scorer of the winning goal against Belgium, Samuel Umtiti was hugely impressive at the back for France alongside the imperious Raphael Varane. Indeed, to go with his goal, Umtiti made seven clearances as he maximised a proactive approach to defending to keep the Belgium attack at bay. One key pass and one accurate through ball saw the centre-back gain a WhoScored.com rating of 7.96. 

Kyle Walker - England 

Partnering Umtiti at the heart of the defence is England defender Kyle Walker, who returned a WhoScored.com rating of 7.30. In 90 minutes, the Manchester City man impressed as he made three tackles and won four aerial duels to keep the Croatia offensive in check. While it wasn’t to be for Walker, the 28-year-old was a key member of the Three Lions backline. 

Lucas Hernandez - France 

Rounding off the defence is resolute defender Lucas Hernandez. The Atletico Madrid man hardly pulled up any trees with his performance, but was at least on hand to deny Belgium as he made two tackles and two clearances. Not the most memorable showing from Hernandez, yet he did enough to gain a WhoScored.com rating of 6.76. 

Kylin Mbappe - France 

The Golden Ball favourite was superb against Belgium as he created two clear-cut goalscoring opportunities for Les Bleus, and played *that* pass for an Olivier Giroud chance in the second half. Not only that, but Kylian Mbappe made a total of six key passes and completed seven dribbles against the Red Devils, with the France teenager gaining a WhoScored.com rating of 8.27 for his efforts. 

N’Golo Kante - France 

It was another solid performance from N’Golo Kante in the middle of the park, with the Chelsea star gaining a WhoScored.com rating of 6.71. By his usual standards, it wasn’t the best-rated showing from Kante, but he mopped up in the midfield nicely as he made two tackles, two interceptions and returned a pass success rate of 90.9% to keep things ticking over in midfield. 

Paul Pogba - France 

Kante’s midfield partner Paul Pogba also makes the cut in this side as he excelled against Belgium. Three tackles and two clearances saw the 25-year-old exhibit the defensive side to his game well, while pushing forward, Pogba made three key passes and completed one dribble from deep. With a 90.3% pass success rate, the France star was good value for his WhoScored.com rating of 7.39. 

Eden Hazard - Belgium 

With a WhoScored.com rating of 8.40, Eden Hazard is our best-rated player of the semi-finals. The Golden Ball contender completed more dribbles against France (11) than any other player has managed in a World Cup match so far. Les Bleus took to any means necessary to stop the Red Devils skipper, with Hazard fouled four times, while his pass success rate (96%) was the second best of all starters in the semi-finals. 

Antoine Griezmann - France 

With six shots against Belgium, Antoine Griezmann fancied his chances of hitting the back of the net in the semi-final and while it wasn’t to be for the forward, he did provide the key assist for Umtiti’s second half winner, that coming from one of three key passes. He was fouled four times in the win, completed one dribble and made one tackle with the 27-year-old earning his place in the XI with a WhoScored.com rating of 7.53. 

Harry Kane - England 

Harry Kane may have spurned a couple of decent goalscoring opportunities against Croatia, but despite looking injured and fatigued as the game wore on, he led the line relatively well. He won nine headed battles inside 90 minutes as he routinely tested the aerial capabilities of the Croatia backline and completed one dribble to contribute towards a WhoScored.com rating of 7.14 in normal time.