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Kylian Mbappe will be France’s most important player against England in the quarterfinal. | Photo Credit: AP
LIVE SCORE AND UPDATES: ENGLAND VS FRANCE QUARTERFINAL
All eyes will be on Kylian Mbappe once again as France take on England in a mouthwatering World Cup quarter-final clash but the defending champion must hope its lack of options from the bench will not be exposed on Saturday.
Les Bleus, who are looking to become the first team to retain the title since Brazil in 1958-1962, were hit hard by injuries ahead of the tournament with midfielders Paul Pogba and Ngolo Kante, and forward Karim Benzema all ruled out.
Mbappe has been on fire in Qatar, with five goals and two assists, while Olivier Giroud has provided three goals, but they have yet to come up against a world-class team.
After wins over Australia and Denmark in their first two matches, France’s fringe players did not cover themselves in glory in a 1-0 defeat to Tunisia to round out the group.
Didier Deschamps’s starting 11 features some fearsome firepower up front with Mbappe, Giroud and Ousmane Dembele, while Adrien Rabiot and Aurelien Tchouameni have proved extremely reliable in midfield.
Antoine Griezmann has been the perfect link between the lines.
At the back, however, France have issues.
Jules Kounde is not a natural right back and left back Theo Hernandez is more forward-minded, which could present problems if he is pegged back by England’s attacks.
Rabiot is well aware of England’s danger in wide areas but predicted they may be more cautious than in previous games.
On the other hand, one of the strengths that has emerged through the tournament is England’s depth.
Manager Gareth Southgate has been able to shuffle his midfield and wide attackers more than in previous tournaments and just about all of them have delivered.
England’s tally of 12 goals – equalling its World Cup best set from three more matches in 2018 – has been achieved via eight players.
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 goalscorers grab the headlines, Southgate made sure he complimented his defenders after the last 16 match as his side chalked up a third successive World Cup clean sheet for the first time in 20 years.
Harry Maguire and John Stones will relish the more traditional challenge of Giroud but the key battle could be between one of the fastest defenders in the tournament and the fastest attacker – Kyle Walker v Mbappe.
The Frenchman has been in full flow in Qatar, while Walker is seemingly edging his way back to sharpness after undergoing surgery on a groin injury in October.
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.
Played: 31| England: 17 | France: 9 | Draw: 5
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 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.
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