World Cup 2018: Eden Hazard vs Antoine Griezmann – which superstar can make the difference in Belgium’s blockbuster with France?

TONIGHT’S World Cup semi-final showdown could be decided by the performances of two men who might be playing their club football in the same city next season.

France’s Antoine Griezmann has committed himself to staying at Atletico Madrid, after being courted by Barcelona for two years.

Belgium’s Eden Hazard, though, appears to still be flirting with Real Madrid despite Chelsea’s desire to keep him at Stamford Bridge.

But none of that will matter in St Petersburg this evening.

Here, SunSport runs the rule over the pair to come up with our semi-final verdict.

PACE

Both of them have the sustained acceleration of a motorbike pulling away from the lights.

Hazard even seems to be faster with the ball at his feet than without - if that is impossible.

Griezmann’s sprint speed is eye-catching as he spots the gaps and arrives before defenders have seen the danger.

Verdict: Griezmann 5 Hazard 5

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GOAL THREAT

Some players are born with ice in their veins.

Griezmann is one of them, a prolific marksman for club and country who has delivered time and again, with the predatory instincts of the very best.

Hazard can be a brilliant finisher but he also has his off-days and France would not be as fearful of him getting a chance as the Belgians will be of Griezmann.

Verdict: Griezmann 5 Hazard 4

DRIBBLING

If you get to Griezmann early, he is vulnerable. Relatively slight, defenders will back themselves to step in and stop the threat at source.

Hazard, by contrast, with his sinewy movement and two-footed adaptability, can go both ways at the drop of a hat, sucking defenders in before leaving them for dead.

Verdict: Griezmann 3 Hazard 5

HEADING

In truth, there is a reason neither of them is a centre-forward in the classic sense.

Griezmann is willing to put his head in when he needs to, but more often looking for flicks at the near post than soaring at the back.

You feel that if Hazard heads the ball it’s either to bring it down or by accident, although he has nodded the odd one in for Chelsea.

Verdict: Griezmann 3 Hazard 2

TEAM PLAY

Griezmann is a striker, a forward. His first instinct is to look to score himself. And so is his second. And his third. Mind you, any team would be happy to have him.

Hazard’s display against Brazil was everything Belgium wanted and needed. He showed his willingness to tie up defenders, leaving space for others, but also drop deep, turn on the ball and drive, pulling his side forward and cleverly buying free-kicks.

Verdict: Griezmann 3 Hazard 5

FINAL VERDICT

The Atletico star might prove the one who strikes the killer blow but Hazard is more likely, just, to be the inspiration and man of the match

Griezmann 19 Hazard 21