England face their greatest take a look at on the World Cup as they face reigning champions France in a bid to achieve the semi-finals in Qatar.
Each nations have cruised their method into the quarter-final stage, however Saturday’s match seems appears to be the most important of the event but, with some followers even describing it as a ‘remaining’ following Brazil’s shock exit to Croatia.
Wanting again on the event, Sportsmail’s Alex McCarthy offers his verdict on those that have featured within the competitors thus far and which workforce has the upper score.
Reigning champions France are the slender favourites going into the quarter-final with England
England although might trigger the reigning champions some issues within the greatest sport but
GOALKEEPERS
Jordan Pickford – 8
Three clear sheets in 4 outings can’t be knocked, however essentially the most spectacular spell of the event for Pickford was the primary half-hour towards Senegal within the last-16.
The Everton stopper made two essential saves at 0-0 that gave England the platform to safe the victory. He’ll undoubtedly be referred to as into motion towards France, however so far as a reflex shot-stopper goes, Pickford stays very reliable.
Hugo Lloris – 6
Les Blues are but to have a clear sheet on the World Cup. Video games towards Denmark and Poland are all the time difficult, however Tunisia and Australia had been particular underdogs towards the French.
The Spurs stopper hasn’t made any obvious errors, however he hasn’t been a formidable wall both. Lloris has advised the media he isn’t France’s weak hyperlink, however he’s no imperious power at this event.
Jordan Pickford has been very reliable whereas Hugo Lloris hasn’t been a formidable wall
DEFENDERS
Kyle Walker – 7
The person everyone seems to be betting on to cease Kylian Mbappe. Walker missed the primary couple of video games of the event as he recovered from surgical procedure on his groin.
Nonetheless, his outings towards Wales and Senegal yielded a pair of unpolluted sheets and he doesn’t seem like he’s missed a step.
Kyle Walker will likely be given the unenviable process of stopping Kylian Mbappe in Saturday’s conflict
Jules Kounde – 7
With Pavard failing to satisfy the usual towards Australia, Kounde has been the person to learn and he has not seemed again.
The Barcelona defender offers the French nice tempo within the full-back positions reverse Theo Hernandez and that could possibly be essential in combating England’s dynamic wide-men.
John Stones – 8
Simply England’s greatest ball-playing defender, the Man Metropolis man has been the very best defender in Qatar for passing accuracy (95 per cent from 382 passes), whole ball carries (124) and whole carry distance (1,288 metres).
On prime of that, he additionally ranks within the prime 4 for cross success, touches, progressive carries and aim ending sequence involvement, based on Opta.
Stones has been answerable for getting England taking part in way over individuals realise.
John Stones (L) has been one of many defenders of the event whereas the much-maligned Manchester United outcast Harry Maguire has not put a foot flawed in England colors (R)
Raphael Varane – 7
The Manchester United man didn’t play within the opener, however he made a noticeable distinction within the victories over Poland and Denmark.
For all of the expertise France have, they don’t have the identical commanding, calm presence within the backline with Varane.
He did play simply over an hour within the Tunisia slip-up, thoughts you.
Harry Maguire – 8
Sure, the much-maligned Man United outcast deserves some credit score so few are keen to offer. He’s barely put a foot flawed by means of 4 video games for England, he’s handed ahead with function and we’ve even seen a few of his outdated marauding runs.
England discovered themselves up towards it towards U.S.A of their second sport, however it was Maguire who stood agency and repelled a wave of corners with a number of key headers.
Dayot Upamecano – 7
Boss Didier Deschamps calls the RB Leipzig defender a ‘monster’ and he’s seemed each bit the billing in Qatar.
Upamecano not often loses a person battle. He has tempo, energy and the aggressiveness to make life troublesome for anybody. How will he fare when Harry Kane has his again to aim? He dealt with Robert Lewnadowski effectively.
Raphael Varane (L) has made a notable distinction since he was introduced into the beginning fold whereas Dayot Upemecano has confirmed why Didier Deschamps described him as a ‘monster’
Luke Shaw – 7
An help towards Iran encompassed the very best sides of the Man United’s full-backs sport. In an England workforce that may flip pedestrian with sideways passing shortly, Shaw all the time tries to be progressive.
A troublesome outing towards the electrical Ousmane Dembele awaits, however the 27-year-old has been a gradual presence up to now.
Theo Hernandez – 7
He’s solely come into the workforce as a result of his brother, Lucas, suffered a tournament-ending damage.
Nonetheless, Theo has proven he may give France the proper help for Mbappe down the left along with his searing tempo.
His overlapping runs have created extra space for Mbappe to function and do what he does greatest. Hernandez had essentially the most touches of anybody towards Poland and has created eight probabilities from open play, solely behind Griezmann and Dembele.
MIDFIELDERS
Jordan Henderson – 8
The 32-year-old deserves nice credit score for a way he has handled being each a member of the supporting solid, and a assured starter for England at totally different levels in Qatar.
From off the bench, Henderson has exuded vitality, enthusiasm and management. Not each participant accepts new roles within the winter of their careers with such utility and greater-good-attitude. His show towards Wales, adopted by his aim and efficiency towards Senegal has now made him undroppable.
Jordan Henderson is now undroppable after beginning the event from the bench
Antoine Griezmann – 8
The Atletico Madrid ahead appears like he’s been shoe-horned into the aspect as a quantity 10 to suit each Oivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappe in, however it’s proving to be a masterstroke as Griezmann has develop into France’s chief creator.
He has created 15 probabilities in simply 4 video games. Griezmann drifts into pockets and makes use of his deft contact to engineer the openings for the searing tempo round him. It’s proving to be a lethal combo up to now.
Declan Rice – 7
The West Ham man seemingly destined for an enormous time transfer has been the heartbeat of the England workforce making an attempt to gather the ball off the again 4.
The 23-year-old’s greatest work is all the time off the ball; his athleticism and dimension eats up the bottom as he hunts down opponents at a daunting fee. His penchant to cross sideways can nonetheless frustrate, although.
Aurelien Tchouameni – 8
Aurelien Tchouameni was a reputation that was floating round Europe previous to his transfer to Actual Madrid, however few realised simply how good the 22-year-old actually is. There’s a cause Actual was OK with letting Casemiro go.
He has dominated in the course of the park along with his professional breaking of the play and good, enterprising play with the ball. He shortly asserted himself as a should begin for one of many greatest golf equipment on the earth and a heavyweight nation, too.
Aurelien Tchouameni has confirmed why Actual Madrid had been glad to let Casemiro depart the membership
Jude Bellingham – 9
The star of the World Cup up to now. The 19-year-old has proven he can play on the prime stage for a few years now with stellar shows within the Champions League and now he has transferred that to the most important stage.
A aim towards Iran and was adopted by a irritating, below-par outing towards the U.S. Regardless of recommendations Southgate would drop him, Bellingham recovered towards Wales and produced an impressed show towards Senegal beginning the play for Harry Kane’s aim and immediately helping Jordan Henderson for his.
His teenage fearlessness could possibly be the important thing to England’s method towards the easiest.
Jude Bellingham has been the star of the World Cup and is essential for England’s probabilities
Adrien Rabiot – 8
With out Paul Pogba to orchestrate, Rabiot is lastly realising the potential many thought he had wasted.
Solely Aurélien Tchouaméni has performed extra minutes for Les Blues at this World Cup than Rabiot. His class on the ball and dynamic runs off of it have been the proper tonic to the unimaginable velocity that flanks him. He’ll dictate the sport towards England if he’s allowed to.
Adrien Rabiot is lastly realising the potential that many individuals had thought he had wasted
FORWARDS
Phil Foden – 7
England followers couldn’t consider Gareth Southgate would let the sport towards the USA elapse with out bringing on the standard of Phil Foden to unlock some doorways, however that’s precisely what the Three Lions supervisor has executed since then.
An help for Kane to open his World Cup account towards Senegal made an announcement, however the fluidity and guile Foden exhibits is probably most beneficial to England.
The 22-year-old has the technical talent to hold with any nation on the earth and the place England typically fail to dictate knock-out video games, Foden is somebody the workforce can all the time belief giving the ball to.
Phil Foden has proven his high quality even when he hasn’t all the time acquired the game-time followers hope for
Ousmane Dembele – 8
It wasn’t way back individuals had been speaking about Dembele as a Barcelona flop, however within the final six months, we’ve begun to see why he commanded a £120 million price just some years in the past.
Nonetheless solely 25, Dembele’s direct dribbling at horrifying tempo – even Kyle Walker has been left in his mud earlier than – have lit up this World Cup.
He has created 9 probabilities in 4 video games and if England focus an excessive amount of on Mbappe, Dembele will punish them.
Harry Kane – 7.5
England’s talisman is only one aim away from equalling Wayne Rooney’s all-time England goalscoring report.
His aim towards Senegal, which was additionally his first of the event, introduced him one step nearer.
With the burden of scoring off his again, the Spurs legend will seemingly play with a delicate sense of freedom towards the French, however he’s been taking part in effectively with out scoring in Qatar – with the common exception of the united statesA sport.
Kane’s connecting of the play has unleashed the wide-men that play off him and England are an thrilling prospect with that blend. With out Kane, it’s not the identical.
Harry Kane scored his first aim of the event in England’s last-16 victory over Senegal
Olivier Giroud – 9
At 36-years-old, the nomadic striker continues to defy father time. His late-career type has seen him formally overtake Thierry Henry as France’s all-time goalscorer and with the supporting solid he has, it’s no marvel.
Giroud has three targets in Qatar and whereas Harry Maguire would possibly fancy himself in a bodily duel with the previous Arsenal and Chelsea man, Giroud is rather more than hold-up play and headers.
He has been a poacher and link-man in France’s numerous attacking line that options the tempo of Mbappe and Demebele mixed with the contact and creativity of Griezmann. A lethal cocktail that Giroud has given steadiness.
Olivier Giroud has three targets in France and has develop into France’s all-time main scorer
Bukayo Saka – 8
There was loads of debate round England’s front-three earlier than the event started, however the Arsenal winger has proven he can replicate his high-quality membership type on the most important stage and can’t be sat on the bench.
Three targets in Qatar, together with a brace within the opener towards Iran, have confirmed what a special dynamic he gives England chopping in from the proper. He’s additionally ready to place within the exhausting yards defensively, one thing that could possibly be essential on a flank Mbappe operates.
Kylian Mbappe – 9.5
What a power of nature. If there may be anybody on the earth who can completely nullify the 23-year-old (he turns 24 in 10 days time), we’re but to see it. The PSG ahead has 5 targets in 4 video games and is main the Golden Boot charts.
The truth that Mbappe appears glad on this French squad is the important thing distinction maker.
Not many would query that France have the very best participant on the earth in Kylian Mbappe
He likes Olivier Giroud coping with the physicality by means of the center, he’s kiss and made up with Rabiot after years of dislike and away from the PSG drama, Mbappe seems in his ingredient.
France have the very best participant on the earth, not many individuals would query that proper now.
ENGLAND TOTAL – 84.5
FRANCE TOTAL – 84.5
ENGLAND EXTRAS
Kieran Trippier – 6
England nearly universally performed effectively within the 6-2 destruction of Iran and Tripper can embody himself in that sweeping acclaim.
Nonetheless, the set-piece specialist wasn’t at his greatest towards the States and gave the ball away far too cheaply. He has since been changed as a starter by Walker.
Eric Dier – 5
The Tottenham man, re-born at centre-half beneath Antonio Conte, has come off the bench twice in Qatar for a complete of 36 minutes of motion.
The video games had been already received when he got here on towards Iran and Senegal and he had pretty nondescript shows, though England did go on to concede a late aim towards the previous with him on the pitch.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6
The Liverpool defender acquired the ultimate 34 minutes towards Wales and showcased all the very best components of his sport with crisp, incisive passing from right-back.He was even stout in defence and made a few notable interceptions. It was too small a pattern dimension to silence long-standing critics, however a good cameo regardless.
Raheem Sterling – 6
The 81-cap winger had a promising begin to the event, however he hasn’t been seen since a poor show towards the U.S. in England’s second sport.
Requires Phil Foden to play and his former teammate’s subsequent wonderful outings have seen Sterling dislodged from his beforehand undroppable slot. He additionally needed to fly house following the Senegal sport to are inclined to his household after their home was burgled, so a begin towards France seems unlikely.
Raheem Sterling has been dislodged from his undroppable slot by Phil Foden for England
Kalvin Phillips – 5
The Man Metropolis man has barely performed any soccer this season, however he has made two appearances off the bench for England totalling 42 minutes at this World Cup.
The rise of Jude Bellingham means Phillips’ Euro 2020 partnership with Declan Rice is unlikely to be resurrected full-time, however Phillips has proven he generally is a strong possibility from the bench.
Mason Mount – 6It hasn’t fairly labored for Mount on the World Cup up to now. Everyone knows the qualities he possesses and the business that Southgate values, however with choices like Bellingham and Foden able to function in that quantity 10 spot, competitors is fierce.Bellingham performed within the 10 towards Senegal with Henderson restored and it appears unlikely that Southgate will toy with that, nor ought to he.
Jack Grealish – 6.5
A aim towards Iran was some tangible finish product that the Man Metropolis man’s detractors normally accused as missing, however Grealish hasn’t been capable of get into the swing of issues in Qatar but.He has appeared in each sport, however just for a complete of 85 minutes as Southgate continues to make use of him as one thing totally different from the bench.
Marcus Rashford – 8
A aim nearly immediately off the bench towards Iran after which a brace towards Wales was the keys to England crusing by means of the group levels and bringing the Manchester United man in from the proverbial chilly.
Rashford is reminding us of {the teenager} that electrified Outdated Trafford and made Europe get up and take discover. Together with his damage points seemingly behind him, England have welcome a deadly injection again into their arsenal.
Marcus Rashford has scored three targets in Qatar regardless of solely beginning on one event
Callum Wilson – 7
Sure, the Newcastle striker’s health issues are effectively documented and the very fact he has picked up a knock in Qatar is disappointing, however he has been spectacular when he has performed.Wilson arrange Rashford towards Iran when he might have gone alone and his tempo in behind is a special choice to that of Kane.
FRANCE EXTRAS
Steve Mandanda – 6
With six factors after two video games, France knew they had been by means of and shuffled their pack.
That meant Mandanda coming in for Lloris. The veteran oversaw a 1-0 loss to Tunisia, however even when he had an all-time efficiency, he was by no means going to dislodge Lloris from the primary spot.
Benjamin Pavard – 5
The Bayern Munich man – scorer of one of many all-time nice reduce volleys at a World Cup – performed 88 minutes in France’s opener towards Australia and hasn’t been seen since.
He’s been dropped for ‘sporting causes’ based on assistant supervisor Man Stephan, however experiences circulated that the squad had been divided on whether or not he was ok to play after a poor show towards the Aussies. Ouch.
Benjamin Pavard was dropped from France’s beginning line-up because of ‘sporting causes’
Lucas Hernandez – N/A
He solely performed 18 minutes of their opener towards Australia earlier than struggling a knee damage.
William Saliba – 5
Not possible to offer the Arsenal man a good score as he’s solely 28 minutes on the World Cup. Out of the match outfield gamers, Saliba has performed the least of all of them.
Ibrahima Konate – 6
Liverpool’s Konate began the opener towards Australia, however Varane has been an computerized in his spot since.
He additionally performed the full-game within the Tunisia loss, however he hasn’t executed a lot flawed. Varane and Upamecano are the seemingly beginning centre-backs towards England.
Ibrahima Konate hasn’t executed a lot flawed when referred to as upon by France thus far this World Cup
Axel Disasi – 6
The Monaco defender was uncapped earlier than this World Cup, however he performed the 90 minutes towards Tunisia – which weren’t a terrific endorsement – and a solitary minute towards Poland.
He seemed uncomfortable within the Tunisia sport, however that was a dis-jointed France aspect and never a good reflection on him. His high-quality type at Monaco is a much better indicator of the 24-year-old’s promise.
Jordan Veretout – 5
After an unsuccessful spell at Aston Villa, it’s exhausting to consider this is similar midfielder who has performed for Roma, now performs for Marseille and has labored his method into the French workforce.He’s solely seen simply over an hour or motion on this event and that was within the Tunisia loss.
Youssouf Fofana – 6.5
The 23-year-old is one other Monaco standout and discounting the much-changed Tunisia loss the place he began, he has come off the bench within the different three video games.
Deschamps clearly likes the vitality that Fofana brings to the desk and whereas not as polished as a Camavinga or Rabiot, he presses the ball effectively and retains it transferring.
Eduardo Camavinga – 5
What a wierd World Cup for the Actual Madrid man. Fofana has been most popular to him as Deschamps go-to midfield substitute with Camavinga’s solely event minutes coming as a left-back within the Tunisia loss – which I’m not making an attempt to say in each score!
Though he acquired higher as the sport went on, the first-half was an actual battle for the 20-year-old and it’s most likely not a good suggestion to make left-back a behavior for him.
Eduardo Camavinga struggled as a left-back in France’s gorgeous defeat to Tunisia
Matteo Guendouzi – 5
He performed 78 minutes towards Tunisia and was principally a proper winger. Predictably, it didn’t work out.
Marcus Thuram – 6
Italian-born Thuram is a strong power in midfield. He has performed 45 minutes of event soccer up to now throughout three video games and he’s but to have the prospect to say himself on a sport.
Kingley Coman – 6
Coman, one other electrical wide-man France have at their disposal, performed simply over an hour towards Tunisia, however has been restricted to fifteen minute cameos in his different three appearances.
As a tiring full-back, Coman is the final man you need to see coming off the bench within the dying embers. That’s precisely how England are prone to face him.
Randal Kolo Muani – 6
A late call-up to a France squad suffering from accidents, the 24-year-old has solely appeared within the now notorious loss to Tunisia.
A pacey possibility from the bench, we’re unlikely to see Kolo Muani except France are in dire want of a aim. Up to now, Deschamps has resisted utilizing him in video games that matter.
