World Cup 2018: 3 Key Battles that decided France's 1-0 win over Belgium

#2 Paul Pogba v Marouane Fellaini

Paul Pogba put in a superb, disciplined performance for France

Pogba is a much-maligned character, but that performance was among his best for France. He was shackled by Deschamps's system, virtually having to play as a 3rd centre-back, ensuring his power and drive forward were not utilised.

But the job he was given, he did perfectly. France needed someone to deal with the power and physicality of Fellaini in the middle of the park.

Brazil missed that in the quarterfinal, with Casemiro's suspension, and the big Belgian made them pay.

Pogba went into aerial duels with a sheer authority that he was going to win them, and win them he did, at least a large chunk of them. He was beaten in the air once, and that could've proved costly, but Fellaini put his header wide.

In possession of the ball, Pogba wasn't expansive, but he was mighty effective. Fellaini was effectively the first line of defence for Belgium, as he tried to press the French midfielders. Pogba was pivotal in breaking that press and playing the early ball forward, to feed the pace of Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann.

In the battle of the Manchester United midfielders, the Frenchman came out having knocked his opponent to the ground.