World Cup 2022: England vs France – The main battles that may decide the quarter-finals

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‘England is a better team than France’ – Ferdinand’s host country: Qatar Dates: November 20 – December 18 Coverage: Live on BBC TV, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds and the BBC website and app BBC Sport. TV listings day by day – full coverage details

England will meet defending champions France on Saturday in a World Cup quarter-final that will feature key battles across the field.

The first major tournament knockout match between the two countries promises to be a high-quality contest at Al Bayt Stadium in Qatar, and the outcome can be determined by the smallest details.

But how exactly can the game be won? BBC Sport takes a look…

A difficult game for the right-sided defenders, the best of Mbappe, as he reached nine goals in the World Cup

When considering how to stop France, the focus is naturally on Kylian Mbappe.

It’s certainly no secret that containing the Paris Saint-Germain striker, who has scored or assisted France in their past seven World Cup goals, will be key to England’s hopes of reaching successive semi-finals, having also reached the semi-finals at Russia 2018.

France are unbeaten in Mbappe’s 13 matches at major tournaments – winning all nine World Cup tournaments – and have been directly involved in 12 of those matches.

An irreplaceable influence, he has been vital to France’s attack and leads his team in a range of offensive metrics including shots (20), open attacking sequence engagements (36) and touches in the opposition penalty area (46).

Kylian Mbappe is heavily involved in France’s attacking play and has more than twice as many shots as any teammate

There are similarities in the way England and France create their chances, as they both prefer attacks on the left.

Both teams have achieved 41% of their attacks on that side, while no player has created more chances than left-backs Theo Hernandez (nine) and Luke Shaw (six).

More than half of France’s chances came from the left, with 26 providing a total of five assists.

This compares to three assists from 11 chances on the England left-hand side, which Shaw can use – second only to Argentina’s Lionel Messi in progressive assists – and either Phil Foden or Marcus Rashford against Jules Kundy who is out of position at right-back. .

Although it remains to be seen whether Gareth Southgate will choose to stay with a back four or move to three, there is no doubt that England’s right-sided defenders – potentially Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier – are in for a busy night.

But Walker in particular will feel confident. The Manchester City defender has faced Mbappe in the Champions League on three occasions, with the Frenchman limited to 0.7 shots per 90 minutes – a significant drop from his 2022 World Cup average of 6.4.

Battle for supremacy in midfield Watch for all of Bellingham’s touch as England dominate Senegal

Jude Bellingham’s impressive performance for England in the 3-0 last-16 win over Senegal led teammate Foden to predict that the 19-year-old would one day be the best midfielder in the world.

Bellingham leads Championship midfielders in tackles (26) and tackles won (11), and this disruptive aspect to his game will be crucial as he seeks to dominate a central area featuring 22-year-old Aurelien Tchouameni’s drive and creativity. Antoine Griezmann 31.

The direct Tchoamene carried the ball 812.6m – far more than Bellingham (531.6m) – while Griezmann created the most chances (15) and great chances (five) of the two teams.

Griezmann has also played the most passes into the penalty area (36) and had the highest expected pass value (2.67 xA) of either team, so limiting his impact in the build-up phases will be key for England.

Carrying the ball by Antoine Griezmann – defined as moving the ball at least five meters forward – originated in areas directly across the pitch

That job will likely fall to Bellingham and Declan Rice, although Jordan Henderson could keep his position after Rice missed training due to illness earlier this week.

Bellingham has recovered 23 possessions for his team in four games – a great average between the two teams – and transitional recovery in particular will be important. While England (38) leads France (29) in high turnover, one in six of those ends up with France hitting the shot.

But England will also seek to unleash one of their most creative players whenever possible.

Only Shaw and Harry Kane have provided more creativity for England than Bellingham, who has so far played seven assists into the penalty area and become the first teenager to assist in a World Cup knockout match in this high-profile Senegal display.

The tale of two attackers Giroud is “underrated” and “better than you think” – analysis

Not long after Olivier Giroud became France’s all-time leading goalscorer against Poland on Sunday, England captain Harry Kane opened his account in Qatar.

Giroud, with three goals in as many appearances, and Kane standing on 52 international goals, with the Tottenham striker now just one short of Wayne Rooney’s record in Three Lions history.

Kane has marginally exceeded his expected goals (xG) value of 0.9 from his four chances so far, but it is in the pre-season where he has been most effective for his team.

He led the way in Qatar with three assists out of five chances created, and his role in Henderson’s goal (below) as Bellingham’s foray against Senegal was typical of his wider influence.

Henderson takes England to the lead against Senegal

Kane is even more important in the England build-up than his French counterpart, having scored more than twice as many touches (123) as Giroud (56) in this World Cup, and making the most progressive passes (14) among forwards in the tournament. .

But only 6.5% of Kane’s touches were inside the penalty area, compared to one in five for Giroud.

And he’s in the box where the Frenchman continues to deliver, with a shooting conversion rate of 33.3% and a three-goal xG of 2.37.

Harry Kane made 27 successful passes into Qatar’s final third, with a passing accuracy of 66%.

In fact, Rashford is England’s highest kicker, with his eight tries in 132 minutes equating to one football every 17 minutes, followed by Bukayo Saka, Foden and Keane (five).

Kane’s ability to keep opposition defense busy and engage others in his flex role could be pivotal.

After all, while eight of France’s nine goals were scored by Mbappe or Giroud, England’s 12 were spread across eight players.

World Cup 2022: All England’s goals so far in Qatar

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