England and France are the 2022 World Cup quarter-final squad. The defending champions are looking to repeat their 2018 triumph. England, meanwhile, hope to complete their five-year journey.
Given the intense quality of both teams, fans are excited about the one-on-one battles likely to take place between England and France.
For Gareth Southgate, he simply has to find a way to limit the effectiveness of Kylian Mbappé. The Paris Saint-Germain striker is the best player in the world right now. You can’t necessarily stop him in his current form. But, if you can isolate him and limit his work to wide areas, you give yourself a chance.
Individual battles that decide England vs France
1. Kyle Walker vs. Kylian Mbappe
England have no chance of reaching the semi-final if Mbappé is allowed to dominate Saturday’s game.
He is the fastest player on the field and the most clinical finisher in the world. To stop that, you need your fastest defender.
Kyle Walker has been struggling to stay in shape lately. He missed the opening game against Iran. However, he returned later in the group stage.
In his prime, Walker is physically imposing, athletic and an attacking threat. His defensive judgment can be questioned, but if he stands alongside confident central defenders, that can be accepted.
Mbappé needs to be isolated. If he is able to run Walker raggedly and cut John Stones/Harry Maguire inside, England are in trouble.
Walker needs to use his pace to chain the French forward and force him to create from other areas.
2. Jude Bellingham vs. Adrien Rabiot
Jude Bellingham has been England’s standout player in Qatar. His bearing and balance in midfield are spectacular. What has made him even more valuable to Southgate is the balance he brings to midfield.
Their full arsenal allows Declan Rice and Jordan Henderson to focus on defensive duties. This will be necessary against France.
Rabiot is the clear weak point of the French midfield. Didier Deschamps is likely not to introduce the Juventus player if his team is completely healthy.
If England wants to dominate the French, it will be through Bellingham. She can make life miserable for Rabiot on Saturday.
He doesn’t have the pace to keep up with him and all the Juventus midfielder has at his disposal is to foul the Dortmund star or pass it to Aurelien Tchouameni.
3. Olivier Giroud vs. Harry Maguire
Kylian Mbappe loves playing with Olivier Giroud. He has pressured PSG to try to copy the French system and use a Giroud-style player.
France’s attacks depend a lot on Giroud’s work without the ball and set pieces.
Harry Maguire has played well in the 2022 World Cup, despite losing his place at Manchester United.
The England defender doesn’t have top-notch pace. However, Giroud isn’t exactly an F1 car either. The pair will engage in a physical battle on Saturday.
If Maguire can intimidate Giroud, get past him and prevent him from holding the ball and putting Mbappe in play, then France’s attack will have been blunted.
Would it be worth it for Maguire to take on a man-marking role on Giroud and Rice slipping into a defensive position? Maybe. Although Southgate is unlikely to introduce such a drastic tactical change.
Giroud is a finisher of the highest caliber. If he goes free in the England penalty area, he will score. Maguire’s best asset is his melee defense. He can be physical and stop attackers from finding space.
If Maguire can do that, it will be even more difficult for France to reach the semi-finals.
PHOTO: IMAGO/Xinhua
World Cup 2022 Guide
Here are some resources to help you make the most of the biggest event in soccer!
