A European clash is expected on Saturday as France gears up to face England in Qatar’s 2022 FIFA World Cup. The two teams secured a quarter-final slot after winning their respective matches.
Kyle Walker is expected to be fit enough to handle the speed of France’s Kylian Mbappe. The English defence, composed of Kyle Walker, John Stones, Harry Maguire, and Luke Shaw, will have to hold Mbappe and Ndebele for them to increase their chances of securing a semifinal slot.
On the other hand, Phil Foden is expected to feature in the crucial match after a sensational first start, where he registered two assists against Senegal. It is still a puzzle amongst the English supporters why coach Gareth Southgate does not have faith in him, but his performance against Senegal speaks for itself. Phil Foden will assist Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane in the attack against France in the quarter-finals. Marcus Rashford will also be a good backup case things don’t work in their favour.
France will be hopeful that Aurelien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot will be at their best to match England’s midfield trio Jordan Henderson, Jude Bellingham and Delan Rice, who have been propelling The Three Lions in the tournament.
England secured their quarter-final slot by overpowering the African champions, Senegal. Jordan Henderson was a beneficiary of a brilliant cutback from Jude Bellingham that gave The Three Lions the lead in the 38th minute. Harry Kane added the second goal just before the half-time break, while Bukayo Saka sealed the team’s victory with a third goal in the 57th minute.
England’s goalkeeper Jordan Pickford had a quiet night as he was only tested once in the entire match.
France cruised easily to the quarter-finals after scoring 3 goals against Poland. Olivier Giroud’s sensational strike gave Les Bleus the lead just before halftime. Kylian Mbappe’s fantastic finishes in the 74th and 91st minute were enough to silence the Polish national team. Poland pulled back one goal in the 99th minute after Dayot Upamecano handled the ball inside the penalty area. Robert Lewandowski scored the penalty in his second attempt at their opponent after their first penalty was cancelled for a penalty infringement.