Hello and welcome to Eurosport's LIVE text commentary of the UEFA Nations League semi-final between Belgium and France. After a bitterly disappointing round-of-16 elimination to Switzerland at the Euros, Les Bleus will be desperate to make Sunday's final against Spain. Belgium are formidable opponents, however, and Roberto Martinez's 'Golden Generation' are under huge pressure to finally deliver a major trophy. It's all set up for an intriguing clash in Turin! Let's grab the team news ahead of this 19:45 kick-off.
UEFA Nations League / Semi-final
Juventus Stadium / 07.10.2021
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- Y. Carrasco(37')
- R. Lukaku(40')
- K. Benzema(62')
- K. Mbappé(69' PEN)
- T. Hernandez(90')
Live
Live Updates
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Updated 07/10/2021 at 20:42 GMT
42'
Lukaku now has 68 international goals! And with his latest, Belgium are on course to make the Nations League final against Spain on Sunday.
41'
GOAL! Belgium 2-0 France (Romelu Lukaku): Two Belgian goals in four minutes! De Bruyne plays the pass, Lukaku allows it to run across his body and makes no mistake, thumping it past Lloris! How clinical is that!
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Goal
R. Lukaku
Belgium
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Goals1
On target1
38'
The defending was poor, but take nothing away from Carrasco, that was a classy goal! It's his seventh goal for his country.
37'
GOAL! Belgium 1-0 France (Yannick Carrasco): Belgium find a way through! Carrasco, after receiving the pass from De Bruyne, carves inside off the left channel. He accepts the invitation to have an effort and beats Lloris at his near post with the low shot from an acute angle!
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Goal
Y. Carrasco
Belgium
Goals1
On target1
36'
There has been a lot of nice, sweeping football in the midfield areas from both sides, but unfortunately - for the neutral - the defenders are on top at the moment.
33'
A long spell of possession for the Belgians but Pogba is back to pick the pocket of Lukaku. However, France quickly squander the ball again as Belgium push once more.
31'
Crucial challenge! Hazard bursts into the penalty area but Kounde is tracking his run all the way and makes a vital interception to block his shot. The Belgian was through!
28'
Both sides are sloppy in possession for a moment, but France are now on the counter-attack... Benzema rolls it down the left for Mbappe and he wins the corner off Denayer. The set-piece comes to nothing.
26'
Belgium try to play it out from the back but lose it to France's high-press. Les Bleus fail to make it count, and Deschamps looks frustrated.
25'
An open, engaging contest has given way to a more settled, cagey affair.
23'
Excellent build-up play from France as Benzema's diagonal is headed down by Pavard. Mbappe tries a first-time shot but fails to test Courtois.
22'
De Bruyne to Hazard, he drives through the middle before finding Lukaku. He looks to turn but sees his shot blocked by Kounde.
20'
Pogba leaves De Bruyne in his wake with a lovely piece of skill - he will have enjoyed that!
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Image credit: Getty Images
19'
Mbappe is searching for the run of Griezmann in behind with a clever flick-on but gets too much pace on it as it runs through to the goalkeeper.
18'
Castagne is outmuscled by Theo Hernandez as he looks to latch onto Lukaku's pass down the right. He quickly gets to his feet and then commits a foul on the France defender in an attempt to recover the ball.
16'
At the other end, De Bruyne miscues his volley as France are let off the hook.
15'
Vertonghen watches Pogba's ball over the top all the way and makes an interception to prevent Benzema a one-on-one opportunity. The Manchester United midfielder tries an identical pass moments later but this time Benzema is flagged offside.
13'
Tielemans is invited to have a shot from range but he doesn't get the accuracy as it blazes over the bar.
11'
Important block! De Bruyne rolls the ball into the feet of Lukaku, who holds the ball up on the edge of the box and gives it back to the Manchester City playmaker. Lucas Hernandez is in the right place to charge down his shot, however.
10'
Pavard is still incredibly high up the pitch and is caught in an offside position as France try to build another attack.