Picture Credit: Twitter
Match Details
Date: December 11, 2022
Time: 12:30 AM IST
Venue: Al Bayt Stadium, Qatar
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Preview:
England will lock horns with France in the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar. The two teams will face off in what looks set to be a blockbuster of a clash gauging by both teams' performances in the Round of 16.
While it was Frenchman Kylian Mbappe, the frontrunner to win the golden boot in this edition of the World Cup, who scored twice against Poland to take their team a step closer to winning their second successive World Cup title, England too eased past Senegal with the help of goals from Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka to set up this clash.
Team News:
England
As far as England are concerned, they look set to be without Raheem Sterling who went back home following a burglary at his home. Ben White also had to leave the squad owing to personal reasons. In addition, Callum Wilson complained of muscle strain, but he hasn't been Gareth Southgate's preferred starter so far.
France
Karim Benzema was ruled out of the tournament before the start of the competition. In his absence, all attacking responsibility lies on Olivier Giroud along with Mbappe both of whom have been in phenomenal goal-scoring form.
Analysis:
What a fixture this has the ingredients to be. Both teams are in fine form but while England are looking to repeat their 1966 triumph, France are the defending champions and have a chance to be part of an elite club by winning back-to-back titles. England won 3-0 over Sengel and are undefeated in 4 World Cup matches so far and have scored 12 goals in these matches while conceding only 2.
France, meanwhile, may be dreaming of lifting back-to-back World Cup trophies but have won just 3 out of the 4 World Cup matches. They too have outscored their opponents by 10 goals to 3 and will need to be at their very best when they take on a confident looking Three Lions side.
Probable Starting XIs:
England: Pickford (GK), Walker, Maguire, Stones, Shaw, Henderson, Rice, Foden, Saka, Bellingham, Kane
France: Lloris (GK), Varane, Hernández, Upamecano, Kounde, Rabiot, Tchouameni, Giroud, Griezmann, Dembele, Mbappe
Match Prediction:
Conclusion:
France have the edge over England with the likes of Mbappe, Giroud and Griezmann in their ranks. Even though England have been undefeated in the competition, they have been guilty of starting slow. Having said that, this match will definitely go down to the wire but the French side should be able to come out on top.
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