When Belgium were beaten by France in their 2018 World Cup semi-final there was some grumbling that the better team had lost and the so-called “golden generation” had been robbed of their place in the final against Croatia.
Fast-forward four years and Belgium will get the chance to show what might have been against the Croats in a Group F encounter on Thursday that may lack the prestige of the tournament's showpiece finale but remains an acutely important game for both sides.
