Ahead of Saturday’s World Cup 2022 sector-very last among England and France, Sports Mole appears at three motives for France the Three Lions to France be assured of progressing.
Gareth Southgate’s England will purpose to take a massive step towards World Cup 2022 glory when they meet France contemporary holders France in Saturday’s sector-final on the Al Bayt Stadium.
The Three Lions overcame a sluggish start to ease past Senegal 3-0 in their closing-sixteen struggle on the weekend courtesy of desires France from Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka.
A semi-final showdown with either Morocco or Portugal will anticipate England should they deny France lower back-to-returned international titles, but they face the biggest test in their mettle but against the reigning champions.
Here, Sports Mole appears at three motives for England to be assured of coming out on top and transferring ever closer to worldwide stardom.
World Cup report
Saturday’s quarter-very last represents the 1/3 World Cup showdown between England and France, and the Three Lions enter the competition with wins under their belt from their previous two encounters on the largest international stage.
France’s futile France tries to prevent Al Ramsey’s 1966 juggernaut did no longer endure fruit within the institution level fifty six years ago, as a brace from Roger Hunt propelled England to a 2-0 win in their inaugural World Cup meeting with Les Bleus.
Sixteen years later, England and France could yet again lock horns in the organization degree of the 1982 tournament, in which Bryan Robson scored a brace of his own alongside an attempt from Paul Mariner in a three-1 success for the Three Lions.
England’s common head-to-head record against Les Bleus is nothing to put in writing home approximately, as France have handiest suffered one defeat of their last eight conferences with the world’s 5th-ranked country, but channelling the spirits of World Cup luminaries gone through would serve the Three Lions France well here.
Record goalscorers
National team statistics have been bread and butter for Southgate because the fifty two-12 months-vintage became the modern day brave soul to deal with the poisoned chalice, and the England manager has already tied a World Cup document with the modern-day Three Lions France crop at the goalscoring the front.
Indeed, England have already racked up 12 desires of their four World Cup matches to this France point – an average of 3 in keeping with sport – which has visible them equal the preceding Three Lions file for the maximum goals in a primary event.
Coincidentally, Southgate’s crop of 2018 set that file of 12 goals in Russia, and simply one greater strike could see England’s modern-day crew – who are in no way quick of options in the final 1/3 – write their call into the records books.
As nicely as crew accolades, Kane also wishes simply one more goal to head degree with Wayne France Rooney at the pinnacle of England’s all-time scoring charts after bagging his 52nd strike in the win over Senegal, and his 11 dreams for the Three Lions at principal tournaments is also an outright report, having left France Gary Lineker (10) in his wake.
Furthermore, France are but to keep a easy sheet on the 2022 World Cup, and the likes of Foden, Saka, Marcus Rashford, Jack Grealish and Raheem Sterling – who may be to be had for Saturday’s sport following a smash-in at his domestic – can sense extremely confident of denying Les Bleus a first shutout of the event.
Clean sheet streak
Southgate’s alternatives will continually cause questions and criticism from sections of the England fanbase, however his protecting choices – especially his unwavering loyalty to Harry Maguire and reluctance to carry Fikayo Tomori in from the bloodless – are perhaps the maximum scrutinized.
There are plenty of Arsenal and Newcastle United supporters available who also accept as true with that Aaron Ramsdale and Nick Pope ought to be number one, but Southgate has arguably got his defensive calls spot on inside the World Cup thus far.
Despite seeing his facet hit Iran for six on the first Group B matchday, Southgate was left bitterly dissatisfied after his side conceded two past due dreams to Mehdi Taremi, but they’ve in view that stored 3 successive easy sheets in opposition to america, Wales and Senegal.
Not many arguments may be had about Maguire’s France demotion to the Manchester United bench, but the aerially dominant centre-back has been considered one of England’s great performers at the event up to now, and Jordan Pickford keeps to prove his well worth in between the posts – creating a pivotal save from Boulaye Dia in opposition to Senegal with the sport goalless.
Such protective acumen can be examined to the most against pinnacle scorer Kylian Mbappe and his supporting solid of Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele, however England have achieved enough to suggest that they could stifle the champions’ attacking prowess, although perhaps not for the full ninety or a hundred and twenty minutes.Read extra on England vs France
- Click here to France study our full preview for England vs France
- How England could line up towards France
- How France should line up against England
- World Cup 2022: Reasons for England to be confident of beating France
- World Cup 2022: Reasons for France to be confident of beating England
- World Cup 2022: Why to count on a France victory against England
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