Reigning world champions France tackle an unbeaten England in a heavyweight quarter-final matchup.
Who: England vs France
The place: Al Bayt Stadium
When: December 10, 10pm (19:00 GMT)
Expectations will weigh heavy on the present world champions France as they head into this high-profile quarter-final matchup in opposition to an unbeaten England aspect that has scored 12 objectives in 4 video games and conceded solely two.
Nevertheless, if any workforce can break this spectacular report, it must be France, who brushed apart a spirited Poland within the final 16 after a rampant Kylian Mbappe produced one other classic World Cup efficiency.
![Can England cease free-scoring Mbappe in quarter-final conflict? 7 Giroud #9](https://i0.wp.com/fifanews.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Can-England-stop-free-scoring-Mbappe-in-quarter-final-clash.jpg?w=1170)
England should give you a plan to comprise the in-form and motivated 23-year-old who whipped in a brace to deliver his 2022 World Cup tally to 5 objectives and admitted after the match that successful the event had develop into an “obsession”.
Olivier Giroud, Ousmane Dembélé and Antoine Griezmann additionally loved wonderful performances, linking up nicely and outplaying Poland for giant components of the sport. Giroud’s aim in opposition to the Poles made him France’s all-time prime scorer, with 52 objectives. However Griezmann with 42 and Mbappe with 33 additionally determine amongst France’s prime seven goal-scorers ever — a sign of the once-in-a-generation pedigree that England will face.
However England will deliver their very own thrilling stability of expertise and younger expertise to the pitch. Manchester Metropolis’s Phil Foden, Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka and Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham have all produced superb performances thus far this event. Raheem Sterling, who scored in England’s 6-2 win over Iran, has additionally returned to Qatar after leaving the squad final weekend following a break-in at his house.
![Can England cease free-scoring Mbappe in quarter-final conflict? 8 England fans celebrating their victory](https://i0.wp.com/fifanews.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/1670654034_274_Can-England-stop-free-scoring-Mbappe-in-quarter-final-clash.jpg?w=1170)
Aside from a lacklustre goalless draw in opposition to the USA, England have regarded in cruise management for many of their World Cup marketing campaign. After a ropey opening third, England brushed apart Senegal 3-0 within the spherical of 16 and can head into the quarter-final excessive on confidence.
England supervisor Gareth Southgate has warned in opposition to complacency forward of the match, saying, “When it comes to France, it’s the largest take a look at we may face.”
France have conceded in all 4 matches thus far, together with a 1-0 loss to Tunisia of their last group-stage sport. True, France had already certified for the spherical of 16 and fielded a weakened workforce. Nonetheless, the Eagles of Carthage uncovered a vulnerability in France’s defence that England’s forwards will look to use.
There’s little to decide on between the edges when it comes to FIFA rating — France are at present positioned fourth with England in fifth. England received each their earlier two World Cup conferences in 1966 and 1982.
![Can England cease free-scoring Mbappe in quarter-final conflict? 9 Interactive - World Cup - head to head - England v France](https://i0.wp.com/fifanews.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Can-England-stop-free-scoring-Mbappe-in-quarter-final-clash.png?w=1170)
Extra not too long ago, coaches Gareth Southgate and Didier Deschamps confronted one another in a global pleasant in 2017. It was a detailed affair, with Harry Kane grabbing a brace for England earlier than Mbappe and Dembélé produced a superb second-half efficiency that will see France as eventual 3-2 winners.
Every of these gamers is predicted to play a key position for his or her sides on Saturday, in what guarantees to be a mouthwatering contest. Each side made it to the semi-finals in 2018. This time, just one will.