Normally if you hear a game described as a 'fascinating tactical battle' it means it's really dull but this game is deservedly called one. Belgium's shapeshifters causing problems, France looking rigid but strong and direct in comparison.

Image source, Reuters

Pat Nevin
Former Chelsea winger on BBC Radio 5 live

They are trying to figure each other out and France are finding it more difficult to see what Belgium are trying to do.

Belgium look the more composed side. They are very fluid, Marouane Fellaini pops up on the left wing. But it only takes one pass to free Kylian Mbappe! Ridiculous pace as he attempts to get on to Paul Pogba's piercing through ball, but Thibaut Courtois does well to sweep it away.

Image source, Getty Images

Garrence: I have NO idea who’s going to win this game. I think I’d prefer it if they both lost.

Si: A combination of nerves and good defending kind of hindering both sides’ attacking game. But this is no surprise. Defensive mistakes are so brutally punished at this level of tournament football

Nels: Is Giroud 2018's Guivarc'h?! Not the same level of talent as some of the players around him, but makes the team shape look more complete.

And that's exactly what happens. Paul Pogba takes it from Mousa Dembele and the ball is dinked over the top, there's loads of space inside the area for Kylian Mbappe but he can't control it and instead tries to knock it on to Olivier Giroud. Chance gone.

Pat Nevin
Former Chelsea winger on BBC Radio 5 live

I think it has been a very good start from Belgium. They are good on the ball and comfortable in their system. The big fear for them is if they lose the ball France will counter quickly.

Benjamin Pavard looks nervy. Belgium had the ball for ages but Vincent Kompany's poor pass is picked off by Pavard and there's a chance to break. However, he panics and plays a blind pass inside and gives it away. TIME!

Danny Murphy
Former England midfielder

Eden Hazard has started this game like he finished the last one and he looks sharp. If Paul Pogba is going to play high up the field, then Benjamin Pavard is going to be left isolated against Hazard which is dangerous.

Belgium are making France look rigid and slow at the moment. Eden Hazard is finding so much room.

Image source, Getty Images

Nacer Chadli puts in a corner so bad that Tony Pulis would have fined him two weeks' wages if he was still at the Albion. Straight out of play.

It's another win for Roberto Martinez, tactical magician, so far. Marouane Fellaini is playing right up front at times. Eden Hazard gets away down the left wing and puts in a testing ball which Samuel Umtiti just about clears.

Belgium on top!

Belgium's first attack is a good one, started by Jan Vertonghen at left-back and recycled all the way over to Nacer Chadli on the right. His low cross is poor but Kevin de Bruyne then puts in a much better one which skips nervily through the French six-yard box and Marouane Fellaini can't quite reach it.

France having all the ball so far. Remember how Belgium hurt Brazil on the counter though in that excellent first-half display.

Danny Murphy
Former England midfielder on BBC One

If we needed reminding of Kylian Mbappe's pace, we had an early glimpse of it within the first minute then.

On the tactical cam, it looks like a 4-3-3 with Nacer Chadli as a right-back.

Bang! Straight away Kylian Mbappe screams down the wing at extreme pace, he skins Mousa Dembele so easily and puts in a cross which is cleared away.

I can't make head nor tail of this Belgian shape just yet but Kevin de Bruyne is in a front three again.

And we are under way! Let's serve up a classic for the ages lads...

Image source, Reuters

Ian Dennis says Mousa Dembele as a left wing-back with Nacer Chadli on the right.

BBC Radio 5 live

Two excellent anthems, a fairly even split in the stands too. You have to go a long way to beat the French anthem in my book though.