France versus England, a rivalry that stretches back a thousand years. Indeed, the French own the distinction of being the last country to win a land battle on English soil. If only Harold’s men had kept their discipline when on top during the early skirmishes at Hastings 956 years ago. A lesson to heed, perhaps, at the Al Bayt Stadium in the quarter-final of World Cup 2022.
Surprisingly football is an arena lightly touched by duels with our closest continental neighbour. The rivalry is felt much more in rugby, fashion, cinema, culture. Yet here in Qatar England and France find themselves at the epicentre of the quarter-final Big Show, a contest flush with the kind of elemental gristle and bone that persuaded the host nation in might be worth $200bn (£163bn) to host it.
Sentiment rests narrowly with France. They are the world champions after all, and they do have Kylian Mbappe. Against that this French selection, the youngest average age of any at Qatar 2022, lacks the experience of the 2018 squad, and is functioning around a makeshift midfield hastily assembled following the absence through injury of Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante.
You might argue that Aurelien Tchouameni of Real Madrid is better than either. It may turn out that way but at 22 and with only 18 caps, there are gaps in his understanding that are vulnerable to exposure at this elevation. The substantial French evolution at this tournament has been the deployment of striker Antoine Griezmann on the right side of midfield and his partnership with Adrien Rabiot.
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Griezmann benefits from the unconditional love of a coach who gave have him his debut in 2014 and has played him in each of the last 71 matches, comfortably eclipsing the consecutive sequence of Patrick Vieira, who clocked up 44 uninterrupted caps for Les Bleus. Didier Deschamps recognises in Griezmann an instinct for the game that allows him to adjust to almost any position. Though he has spent the majority of his career in the final third, Griezmann is a natural playmaker, comfortable in a deeper role where his passing is seen to greater effect.
The confidence Deschamps has in him is the critical factor, and evinces an almost childlike devotion. “I owe him everything in the national team,” Griezmann said. “I give everything for France, for the shirt but also for him. And I am trying to do everything I can so he keeps trusting me. Every move, every game is like a ‘thank you’ that I am sending him. I want him to be proud of me.
“I feel great physically, which is helping me in this new position. I know the team needs me in a deeper, more central position. I am quite free in this new role. I must be the link between the defence and the forwards. I have three players in front of me, so more options, so it is easier for me.”
The two sides have met only twice at World Cups, in 1966 and 1982, both won by England, and five times at the European Championships, where the French are unbeaten, winning twice. The last meeting of any kind came in a friendly five years ago, won by France, one of five victories in the last eight meetings.
Mbappe has been at the centre of the discussion, as he would be, yet from the French perspective there is a deep concern that England are trending in a positive direction, and a suspicion that they are beginning to harness a powerful sense of mission. Skipper Hugo Lloris pointed out that of the respective squads, England are the more experienced since they include more players from the World Cup in Russia.
“In Europe there is a feeling they are a team that is maturing and getting very close to winning,” Lloris says.
“There were unlucky at the Euros. We know there are two very strong teams. This clearly leads to great matches. At the World Cup France and England is always a special match. England are an ambitious country. They have come here to win the World Cup. We have to make sure we are ready because it’s going to be a big battle.”
Lloris was inevitably asked about his Spurs team-mate and England captain Harry Kane. His response revealed not only a deep personal reverence but a feeling within the French squad that Kane is just as important to England as Mbappe is to them. “Harry is someone who is known all over the world. He is a real leader, an example for his team-mates and he is a top player. He has been decisive for his club and very often he makes the difference.”
In the history of this whole competition England have never beaten an elite nation at the knockout stage outside England. Now would be a good time to start.
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