It’s a game that many England fans have been eyeing as a possibility since the announcement of World Cup fixtures: France in the quarter-finals.
It’s the toughest test yet for Gareth Southgate and his Three Lions. How will they line up and deal with the current starters and one of the most impressive squads in the tournament so far?
The match itself will be historic: it’s the first time the men’s teams have met in a knockout tie in any competition, and the first time at a World Cup since 1982.
It will feature France’s top striker and Golden Boot contender Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham, the England midfielder whose name is on everyone’s lips. Will one or the other make a difference?
England have scored 12 goals so far, and France nine – so will Saturday’s game be a thriller or a suspicious encounter? Will it go to penalties?
The two managers, Southgate and Didier Deschamps, gave their pre-match thoughts. That’s what you need to know…
“Some of our defeats will prepare us for this night”
England have grown in the tournament, with their 3-0 win over Senegal in the last 16 perhaps their most impressive performance to date.
Southgate led England to the semi-finals of the last World Cup, before being beaten in the Euro 2020 final by Italy and he says those experiences help.
“In terms of experience, those big matches are important benchmarks for the team,” Southgate said.
“There were painful defeats that prepare you for nights like tomorrow, where you have to be the best version of yourself. We are ready to fight France for that place in the semi-finals.”
It was a sentiment captain Harry Kane shared, saying his team “didn’t really know what to expect” during their run in 2018.
“We went there with the belief that we could win, but it was almost a new experience for a lot of us,” Kane said. “We arrived in the semi-finals and were thrilled, but if we had the conviction to win the tournament, I’m not sure.
“We came into this tournament hoping and believing we could win it. We have to get to a stage where we expected to be and now it’s about trying to keep going.”
When asked what he would say to his players in the dressing room before the game, Southgate replied: “Nothing at all. Harry [Kane] the fact. At this point, the messages are done and the work is done. It’s up to the players to decide. We leave that to the players.”
Midfielder Jordan Henderson, who has started the last two games, told BBC Sport the game will be a “huge test”, but it is all about “producing on the biggest stage” and a chance to “show what we are capable of”.
“England have no weaknesses”
England entered the competition facing questions and criticism over their style of play and it was reiterated after their 0-0 draw with the United States in the group stage.
However, their other three games have seen free-flowing attacking football and they are the tournament’s top scorers, while goals have been shared with eight different players scoring – and they have also kept three clean sheets.
Asked about England’s weaknesses, France head coach Deschamps replied: “They don’t have any.
“All teams have strengths, not all have a lot of weaknesses, but a little less strength. At the end of the day, you have to identify the areas where you think you can attack them.
“Rhythm is often one of the keys to the game. When it’s fast, the opponent has less time to organise. It takes more than rhythm to score goals. You can stop a lot of things but it’s It’s very difficult to stop someone who is very fast, especially in transitions.
“England are very strong in that area and have scored a lot of goals with quick counter-attacks. They also have many other qualities in terms of technical ability, ability to score goals and being dangerous from kicks. stopped foot.
“It’s no coincidence that they face us in the quarter-finals.”
France enter the game with defender Jules Kounde and midfielder Aurélien Tchouameni each on yellow cards, and both would miss a potential semi-final if given a heads-up, but Deschamps said “you can’t expect until they play with the handbrake”.
“They’re going to have to dig deep and give it their all,” said Deschamps, who is out of contract after this tournament.
“I think playing with the handbrake will be the worst thing we can do.”
Deschamps added that France “is calm and very serene” and has “the maximum concentration on each match because there is no point in being stressed and putting pressure on yourself”.
How can I watch and follow England v France?
ITV is broadcasting the match live with highlights and clips on BBC TV, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.
There will be full commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds. Coverage begins at 12:00 GMT and includes commentary on Morocco and Portugal at 3:00 p.m.
The BBC Sport website will offer live text commentary and there will also be live text providing pre-match news throughout the day.
