France’s breakneck pace up against one of the meanest pragmatists in the tournament — Uruguay
France achieved a sensational 4-3 win against Argentina with the Bleus’ 19-year old number 10 netting twice to send Messi & Co packing.
They will be facing their rivals Uruguay on Friday in the first quarterfinal of FIFA 18.
Both teams are under pressure and they have faced each other only 6 times in football history with Uruguay winning 2 and the teams drawing 4 times.
France coach Didier Deschamps has compared playing against Uruguay to facing Peru, who narrowly lost to France 1-0 in group play on a goal by Mbappe.
He termed Oscar Tabarez’s men as "solid and aggressive", adding, "These are not the qualities displayed by Argentina."
With the help of Edinson Cavani’s outstanding performance, Uruguay managed to knock out Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal on Saturday. But they might not be in luck this time to see his sorcery on account of a hamstring injury as confirmed by Uruguay.
“About Cavani, we don’t know, we’re just waiting for a few days,” Cavani’s fellow striker luis Suarez said. “His significance, both for my play and for the team, is key because of the class of player he is.”
Uruguay emerged from the group stages with a clean sheet in each match, a streak broken in the last-16 match against Portugal when Pepe headed in for the Quinas.
Nevertheless, the team remained solid in defense. France’s basic goal will be to breach this pragmatism, with Mbappe and Antoine Greizmann shouldering the responsibility.
“About Mbappe, everybody knows he’s a really good player, he’s like (Thierry) Henry a few years ago,” Uruguay’s own hotshot luis Suarez said who has scored 2 goals so far in this tournament.
“But I think we have a really good defense to control him - but not just one player, the (whole) France team.”
“We want to stop them playing, make their strikers uncomfortable, that’s our weapon. Making them respect us.” Said Suarez
Mbappe, the wonder kid, was praised and compared to Pele after his recent exploits in the match against Argentina. His impact for Monaco two seasons ago saw them clinch the ligue 1 title and reach the final four of the Champions league. He has a really balanced game for a striker.
France will be wary of expecting the same performance from him in the quarterfinal, considering the changes Uruguay will be executing to contain the teenager. The other French forwards might have to adjust to make him feel good on the pitch.
Meanwhile, Mbappe remains in a constant lookout for opportunities in the tournament despite the comparisons with the legendary Pele.
"I’m very happy and it’s flattering to be the second teenager after Pele,” he said. “But let’s put things in context: Pele is another category, but it’s good to be among these people.
"As I’ve already and always said, at a World Cup you have all the top-level players, so it’s an opportunity to show what you can do and what your abilities are. There’s no better place than a World Cup."
The other acclaimed attacker within the French ranks, Antoine Griezmann has netted 2 goals this season, both from penalties. His football history will confirm that he always rises to the occasion when there is a need to score in the biggest games. He can be a risk factor for Uruguay’s defence along with Mbappe.
Effectively France are a team with great attacking strength led by Griezman, Giroud, Mbappe and backed up by midfield generals Pogba and Kante – who can play both passing football as well as do the role of effective midfield blocking.
As for Uruguay, the two-time champions have made it to the quarterfinals with unconvincing scoring margins in their first two group games against Egypt and Saudi Arabia. However, they did show their true colors against Russia with a staggering 3-0 win.
The man behind Uruguay’s almost invulnerable defence is Diego Godin, a man who shows great enthusiasm for defending and celebrates every block, tackle and interception like strikers celebrate goals.
In the absence of Cavani, Christian Stuani will join the fray and try to buy space for Suarez wreak havoc by holding up the central defenders – like Cavani does.