Heavyweights England and France are set to square off in what is expected to be an entertaining World Cup quarter-final clash at the Al Bayt Stadium on Saturday evening.
The Three Lions come into this fixture after they cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Senegal. Often under pressure in the opening half, the English managed to grab control of the game before hammering home the advantage.
Without Raheem Sterling in the squad, the likes of Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka all scored at the Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday evening.
France, meanwhile, made their way to the quarter-finals after they clinched a 3-1 win over Poland.
A brace by Kylian Mbappe and a goal from Olivier Giroud was enough to cancel out Robert Lewandowski’s late goal.
Giroud’s goal made him France’s all-time leading scorer while Mbappe is now the man everyone is chasing in the race for the Golden Boot.
England Manager Gareth Southgate: “In terms of France, it’s the biggest test we could face.
“They’re world champions with an incredible depth of talent and outstanding individual players. They’re very difficult to play against and score goals against, so it’s a fantastic challenge and a brilliant game to prepare for.
“The two quarter-finals that are already in place are historic rivalries.
“It’s a great game to be involved with and to test ourselves against the very best.”
In the last five meetings between the two teams, France has won three out of five matches, while England have only won once, with the other fixture ending in a stalemate.
Southgate has no new injury concerns ahead of the clash likewise Didier Deschamps.
Bukayo Saka has been one of England’s standout performers at the tournament and has already scored three goals in three matches following his goal against Senegal
Kylian Mbappe has once again proven himself on the world stage after his brace against Poland took his goal tally to five goals and two assists in four World Cup appearances during this edition of the tournament.
England’s World Cup Form:
WDWW
France’s World Cup Form:
WWLW