Here is all you need to know before the England vs France FIFA World Cup quarterfinal at the Al Bayt Stadium.
In Saturday’s tantalising World Cup quarterfinal match between France and England, Kylian Mbappe will once again be the centre of attention. However, the defending champion must hope that its dearth of bench options will not be exposed.
The French national squad was severely injured prior to the competition, with midfielders Paul Pogba and Ngolo Kante, as well as striker Karim Benzema, all being ruled out. Les Bleus are attempting to become the first side to successfully defend their championship since Brazil in 1958–1962.
Mbappe has been on fire in Qatar, scoring five goals and dishing out two assists, and Olivier Giroud has contributed three goals, but they haven’t yet faced a top-tier opponent.
France’s bench players did not shine in a 1-0 loss to Tunisia to finish the group after victories over Australia and Denmark in their first two games.
Mbappe, Giroud, and Ousmane Dembele make up Didier Deschamps’ starting 11’s scary firepower up front, while Adrien Rabiot and Aurelien Tchouameni have consistently performed admirably in midfield.
The ideal connector between the lines has always been Antoine Griezmann.
France, however, is having problems at the back.
Jules Kounde is not a right or left back by nature. Theo Hernandez is more forward-thinking, which could cause issues if England’s assaults slow him down.
Rabiot suggested that England could play more cautiously than in past games despite being well aware of the danger they pose in wide spaces.
On the other side, England’s depth has become one of their assets as the competition has progressed.
In comparison to previous tournaments, manager Gareth Southgate has had greater freedom to switch up his wide attackers and midfielders, and almost all of them have succeeded.
Eight players helped England score 12 goals, matching its World Cup record set from three additional matches in 2018.
PREDICTED 11 – England vs France
England: Pickford – Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw – Bellingham, Rice, Henderson – Saka, Kane, Foden
France: Lloris – Kounde, Varane, Upamecano, Hernandez – Tchouameni, Rabiot – Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe – Giroud
Harry Kane, who led the tournament in scoring in 2018, has only managed one goal in Qatar, but he has emerged as a dangerous provider thanks to his three assists and looked sharp during England’s round of 16 triumph over Senegal.
While the goal scorers typically garner the attention, Southgate made sure to recognize his defense following his team’s last-16 victory, which marked the first World Cup clean sheet in 20 years.
Giroud will be a more conventional task for Harry Maguire and John Stones, but Kyle Walker vs. Mbappe, one of the tournament’s two fastest players, could be the decisive matchup.
In contrast to Walker, who underwent surgery in October for a groyne issue, the Frenchman has been playing at a high level in Qatar.
One thing that should be a given is that England will not be overawed by the occasion after their recent runs to the last four of the 2018 World Cup and final of Euro 2020.
HEAD TO HEAD
Played: 31| England: 17 | France: 9 | Draw: 5
WORLD CUP FORM
England
Won 6-2 vs Iran
Drew 0-0 vs USA
Won 3-0 vs Wales
Won 3-0 vs Senegal
France
Won 4-1 vs Australia
Won 2-1 vs Denmark
Lost 0-1 vs Tunisia
Won 3-1 vs Poland
WHEN AND WHERE TO WATCH
When will the England vs France quarterfinal match kick-off?
The England vs France quarterfinal match will kick-off at 12:30 AM IST, December 11.
Where will the England vs France quarterfinal match kick-off?
The England vs France quarterfinal match will kick-off at the Al Bayt Stadium.
Where can you watch the England vs France quarterfinal match in India?
The England vs France quarterfinal match will be telecasted live on Sports18 and Sports18 HD. On Android and well as iOS, the 2022 FIFA World Cup will be live streamed on JioCinema.
Where can you watch the England vs France quarterfinal match outside India?
Argentina – Live Stream: Telemundo
United States – TV: FOX, Telemundo; Live Stream: fuboTV, Fox Sports app, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo
Canada – TV: CTV, TSN; Live Stream: fuboTV, TSN app
United Kingdom – TV: BBC One; Live Stream: BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Website
Australia – TV: SBS; Live Stream: SBS On Demand
New Zealand – TV: Sky Sports; Live Stream: Sky Sport
