Belgian sights firmly set on WC victory, says Vermaelen

While other players have kept up a steady mantra of taking the tournament one game at a time, the 32-year-old defender make clear his vista was firmly focused on Sunday’s final at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium. “We want desperately to get to the final and go on and win because if it doesn’t happen it will forever be a disappointment. Our ambition is to go on and win the final,” said Vermaelen ahead of the semi-final against France in St Petersburg.

“I believe in it of course, especially as we find ourselves in the semi-finals having knocked out one of the top favourites. We’ve also shown we can play attractive football, we’ve come back from some difficult moments against Japan. It would be absurd to say we don’t believe.”

Friday’s 2-1 victory over Brazil in the quarter-finals followed a rousing come-from-behind win over the Japanese, where Belgium found itself two goals behind with 30 minutes to play but won 3-2 in the round of 16. Vermaelen believes France will be tougher opponents than five-time world champion Brazil.

“France were one of the favourites before the World Cup and I think the game will be tougher than against Brazil because of their individual quality,” he said. “I think they are a lot stronger in defence, I feel it’s going to be a hard tussle.” He singled out his Barcelona team mate Samuel Umtiti. “He’s quick and strong, a complete defender,” Vermaelen said. But Belgium is counting on stars of its own like Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne.

“For us to finally be able to knock out a formidable opponent is because of the experience we’ve picked up at previous tournaments and also the development of our players at their clubs,” Vermaelen said.