New Delhi, July 10 -- LOS ANGELES - Kevin De Bruyne has played World Cup football for twelve years. He has been brilliant in it and he has been wasted in it, twice reduced to supporting cast in teams that could not build an occasion equal to his gifts. Friday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, with Spain unbeaten through five matches and France waiting in the semifinal, the occasion has arrived at last - and there is no guarantee he survives it.

it reflects a consistent tactical identity built around Rodri and Pedri controlling midfield tempo and a wide attack that can convert possession pressure into goals without relying on a single focal striker. Belgium, who eliminated Croatia in the round of sixteen with a performance that was both chaot...