England vs France, FIFA WC 2022 live score updates: FRA look to strengthen title defence overcoming ENG in quarterfinal

France’s Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring a goal with Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele and Jules Kounde. (REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo)
England vs France: All eyes on Kylian Mbappe, but France’s unique midfield trio could be the X Factor
Much of the build-up to the blockbuster quarterfinal encounter between England and France – two teams brimming with individual talent – has been focused on one man: Kylian Mbappe.
The prolific Paris Saint-Germain forward is in mercurial form as the tournament’s highest goalscorer with five goals. He has looked sharp on and off the ball, and his match-winning brace against Poland in the round of 16 would have the English defence worried.
Expectations are that England coach Gareth Southgate will likely look to manage Mbappe moving to a back three with two wing backs, his preferred defensive shape against teams that like to contest possession. In doing so, however, they would either have to sacrifice an attacker – an unlikely alternative given the lack of a second striker option – or sacrifice a midfielder, falling into a 3-4-2-1 formation. (READ MORE)