The quarter-finals of 2018 FIFA World Cup are done over with, and we have four semi-finalists ready, who’ll be raring to go on to win the game’s greatest prize! It is France, Belgium, England and Croatia who have booked a semi-finals berth for themselves at the FIFA World Cup 2018! (Can you guess the winner yet?)

The quarter-final stage of the tournament ended with much fanfare on July 8. As the Round of 8 games got over, the teams of Uruguay, Brazil, Sweden, and Russia were knocked out of the tournament.

In the first quarter-final of FIFA World Cup 2018, it was France who defeated Uruguay 2-0 at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, in Russia. A goal each from Raphael Varane and Antoine Griezmann saw Uruguay, who were playing with the absence of their star player Edinson Cavani, down and out of the World Cup.

In the second quarter-final of 2018 FIFA World Cup, Belgium went past Brazil as they won the match 2-1 eventually. The second Round of 8 game at Kazan Arena, in Russia saw the Red Devils prevailing over the Selecao team, with much of the luck riding in their favour. Belgium got a lead with Fernandinho’s own goal, with Kevin De Bryune’s fiery kick saw the lead getting doubled in less time. However, a late goal from Renato Augusto couldn’t change the outcome of the match; Belgium booked the semi-final berth for the first time in three decades.

In the third quarter-final of FIFA World Cup 2018, Sweden took on the mighty England team at Samara Arena, in Russia. The Harry Kane-led side proved strong for to the Swedish side as they won the match 2-0. A goal each from Harry Maguire and Dele ensured that England advanced to the semi-finals after a gap of 28 years!

In the last quarter-final of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, host team Russia took on Croatia at Olympic Fisht Stadium, in Russia. It was an exciting match as both the sides played tooth and nail to book the last-vacant semi-final berth. Russia scored the first goal in 31st minute, with Croatia scoring the equaliser in the 39th minute. The match went into the extra time, and it was Croatia who took the lead, first, in the 101st minute. However, Russia equalised with a goal in the 115th minute and set-up a penalty shootout. In the penalty shootout, it was Croatia who won the match 4-3 on penalties score.

With all said and done, we now the four semi-finalists of the 2018 World Cup. The schedule and fixtures of the semi-finals are quite exciting, and given the forms, the qualified teams are in, at the moment, the matches are going to be as thrilling as they could be. We, at LatestLY, bring you the time, schedule, date, and venues of the FIFA World Cup 2018 semi-finals.

Time, Date, Venue, and Match Details of Semi-finals at 2018 FIFA World Cup:

Sr. No. Match Date Teams Time (IST) Venue
1. July 10, Tuesday France vs Belgium 11.30 pm St. Petersburg Stadium, Russia
2. July 11, Wednesday Croatia vs England 11.30 pm Luzhniki Stadium, Russia

It is a rare occasion in the history of football World Cup where all the four semi-finalists have been European teams. It will be interesting to see which team comes out on top on the match day and books a berth in the final of FIFA World Cup 2018.

Will it be France, Belgium, Croatia, or England, it is for time to tell! However, much is at stake for all the contenders and they will be looking forward to giving their all to lay their hands on the game’s most coveted award – FIFA World Cup Trophy!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 08, 2018 04:19 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).