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.
Antoine Griezmann has been the ideal link between the lines as France’s peripheral players overcame Australia and Denmark in their opening two games before defeating them.
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.
Harry Kane, the tournament’s top scorer in 2018, has scored only one goal in Qatar but he has turned into a dangerous provider with three assists and looked sharp in England’s victory over Senegal in the round of 16.
While the goalsc 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.
Despite the fact that goal scorers frequently receive praise, Southgate took care to acknowledge his team’s defence after their victory in the last-16, which was their first World Cup clean sheet in 20 years. For the first time in 20 years, Southgate made care to praise his defenders after the last 16 match as his team recorded a third straight World Cup clean sheet.
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.
Because of their recent trips to the final of Euro 2020 and the last four of the 2018 World Cup, England shouldn’t be intimidated by the occasion.
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
Malaysia – TV: RTM, Astro; Live Stream: Astro Go
Singapore – TV: Mediacorp Channel 5; Live Stream: StarHub TV+, IPTV, Singtel TV
Hong Kong – TV: BeIN Sports, ITV; Live Stream: Now TV, ViuTV
Nigeria – SuperSport and Showmax Pro.
