Questions about how England will hold the lethal Mbappe quiet have dominated the build-up to the match, which takes place in the desert setting of Al-Bayt Stadium.
France ahead Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring his staff’s third purpose through the Qatar 2022 World Cup spherical of 16 soccer match between France and Poland on the Al-Thumama Stadium in Doha on 4 December 2022. Picture: FRANCK FIFE/AFP
DOHA – Defending champions France tackle England in a mouthwatering World Cup quarterfinal on Saturday that pits famous person Kylian Mbappe in opposition to a ahead line-up full of youthful zest.
The two European heavyweights, separated by simply 20 miles (32 kilometres) of ocean, have surprisingly met simply twice on the most important stage, however not since 1982.
France, topped world champions for the second time in Russia in 2018, eased previous Poland in the final 16, with two targets from Paris Saint-Germain ahead Mbappe and one from Olivier Giroud.
England beat Senegal 3-0, turning on the type for an finally snug win in opposition to the African champions after a shaky begin.
Mbappe, 23, is the Qatar event’s prime scorer, with 5 targets in simply 4 begins, whereas Giroud’s strike in opposition to Poland made him France’s all-time main goalscorer.
Questions about how England will hold the lethal Mbappe quiet have dominated the build-up to the match, which takes place in the desert setting of Al-Bayt Stadium.
England’s pacy right-back Kyle Walker, prone to have the duty of shackling Mbappe on Saturday, is anxious to keep away from the impression that the fleet-footed attacker is the one menace.
“I know he’s a top player but we’re not playing tennis. It’s not a solo sport, it’s a team game,” stated the Manchester City defender.
“We know he’s a great player and that’s why he’s the focus of all questions. But let’s not forget (Olivier) Giroud, who has scored countless (goals), and (Ousmane) Dembele, for me just as good on the other wing.”
The France midfield has coped nicely in the absence of the injured N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba, with Antoine Griezmann impressing, but when there’s a potential weak point in Didier Deschamps’ lineup it could possibly be in the full-back positions.
Jules Kounde and Theo Hernandez will face a troublesome take a look at in opposition to whoever they face, with Marcus Rashford, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, Jack Grealish and Raheem Sterling all in the combination.
That wealth of attacking choices means England can even have enviable game-changing choices on the bench.
France midfielder Adrien Rabiot is predicting an open match.
“England are a team with similar characteristics to us, really quick players out wide, attacking full-backs and midfielders who like to get forward,” he stated.
“But I am not sure we need to say that we have to be wary of them. They will also be very wary because we can cause them problems.”
SOUTHGATE’S GAMBLE
Southgate is in a tough place. Does he stick or twist? Does he let his younger attackers off the leash or bolster his defensive choices?
The England coach got here below fireplace in the build-up to the World Cup after a depressing winless run although he has credit score in the financial institution from reaching the semifinals in 2018 and the ultimate of final 12 months’s Euro 2020.
England are joint prime scorers in Qatar heading into the quarterfinals, with 12 targets from their 4 video games.
Their standout participant has been marauding teenager Jude Bellingham, who has shaped a powerful partnership alongside the extra defensive-minded Declan Rice.
Like France, England’s potential weak point is on the again, with central defender Harry Maguire weak to tempo.
Southgate stated the match was the “biggest test we could face”.
“They are world champions, with an incredible depth of talent and outstanding players. They are very hard to play against and score goals against,” he stated.
“It’s a fantastic challenge. It’s a historic rivalry with great games from the past. It’s a brilliant game for us to be involved in and test ourselves against the very best.”