sport news World Cup: Sportsmail's form guide ahead of England's quarter-final with France trends now
England face their biggest test at the World Cup as they face reigning champions France in a bid to reach the semi-finals in Qatar.
Both nations have cruised their way into the quarter-final stage, but Saturday's match appears looks to be the biggest of the tournament yet, with some fans even describing it as a 'final' following Brazil's shock exit to Croatia.
Looking back at the tournament, Sportsmail's Alex McCarthy gives his verdict on those who have featured in the competition so far and which team has the higher rating.
Reigning champions France are the narrow favourites going into the quarter-final with England
England though could cause the reigning champions some problems in the biggest game yet
GOALKEEPERS
Jordan Pickford - 8
Three clean sheets in four outings can’t be knocked, but the most impressive spell of the tournament for Pickford was the first 30 minutes against Senegal in the last-16.
The Everton stopper made two crucial saves at 0-0 that gave England the platform to secure the victory. He will undoubtedly be called into action against France, but as far as a reflex shot-stopper goes, Pickford remains very dependable.
Hugo Lloris – 6
Les Blues are yet to have a clean sheet at the World Cup. Games against Denmark and Poland are always tricky, but Tunisia and Australia were definite underdogs against the French.
The Spurs stopper hasn’t made any glaring errors, but he hasn’t been a formidable wall either. Lloris has told the media he isn’t France’s weak link, but he’s no imperious force at this tournament.
Jordan Pickford has been very dependable while Hugo Lloris hasn't been a formidable wall
DEFENDERS
Kyle Walker - 7
The man everyone is betting on to stop Kylian Mbappe. Walker missed the first couple of games of the tournament as he recovered from surgery on his groin.
However, his outings against Wales and Senegal yielded a pair of clean sheets and he doesn’t look like he’s missed a step.
Kyle Walker will be given the unenviable task of stopping Kylian Mbappe in Saturday's clash
Jules Kounde - 7
With Pavard failing to meet the standard against Australia, Kounde has been the man to benefit and he has not looked back.
The Barcelona defender gives the French great pace in the full-back positions opposite Theo Hernandez and that could be crucial in combating England’s dynamic wide-men.
John Stones - 8
Easily England’s best ball-playing defender, the Man City man has been the best defender in Qatar for passing accuracy (95 per cent from 382 passes), total ball carries (124) and total carry distance (1,288 metres).
On top of that, he also ranks in the top four for pass success, touches, progressive carries and goal ending sequence involvement, according to Opta.
Stones has been responsible for getting England playing far more than people realise.
John Stones (L) has been one of the defenders of the tournament while the much-maligned Manchester United outcast Harry Maguire has not put a foot wrong in England colours (R)
Raphael Varane - 7
The Manchester United man did not play in the opener, but he made a noticeable difference in the victories over Poland and Denmark.
For all the talent France have, they do not have the same commanding, calm presence in the backline with Varane.
He did play just over an hour in the Tunisia slip-up, mind you.
Harry Maguire - 8
Yes, the much-maligned Man United outcast deserves some credit so few are willing to give. He’s barely put a foot wrong through four games for England, he’s passed forward with purpose and we’ve even seen some of his old marauding runs.
England found themselves up against it against U.S.A in their second game, but it was Maguire who stood firm and repelled a wave of corners with several key headers.
Dayot Upamecano - 7
Boss Didier Deschamps calls the RB Leipzig defender a ‘monster’ and he’s looked every bit the billing in Qatar.
Upamecano rarely loses an individual battle. He has pace, power and the aggressiveness to make life difficult for anyone. How will he fare when Harry Kane has his back to goal? He handled Robert Lewnadowski well.
Raphael Varane (L) has made a notable difference since he was brought into the starting fold while Dayot Upemecano has showed why Didier Deschamps described him as a 'monster'
Luke Shaw - 7
An assist against Iran encompassed the best facets of the Man United’s full-backs game. In an England team that can turn pedestrian with sideways passing quickly, Shaw always tries to be progressive.
A difficult outing against the electric Ousmane Dembele awaits, but the 27-year-old has been a steady presence thus far.
Theo Hernandez - 7
He’s only come into the team because his brother, Lucas, suffered a tournament-ending injury.
However, Theo has shown he can give France the perfect support for Mbappe down the left with his searing pace.
His overlapping runs have created more space for Mbappe to operate and do what he does best. Hernandez had the most touches of anyone against Poland and has created eight chances from open play, only behind Griezmann and Dembele.
MIDFIELDERS
Jordan Henderson - 8
The 32-year-old deserves great credit for how he has dealt with being both a member of the supporting cast, and a guaranteed starter for England at different stages in Qatar.
From off the bench, Henderson has exuded energy, enthusiasm and leadership. Not every player accepts new roles in the winter of their careers with such application and greater-good-attitude. His display against Wales, followed by his goal and performance against Senegal has now made him undroppable.
Jordan Henderson is now undroppable after starting the tournament from the bench
Antoine Griezmann – 8
The Atletico Madrid forward looks like he’s been shoe-horned into the side as a number 10 to fit both Oivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappe in, but it’s proving to be a masterstroke as Griezmann has become France’s chief creator.
He has created 15 chances in just four games. Griezmann drifts into pockets and uses his deft touch to engineer the openings for the searing pace around him. It’s proving to be a deadly combo thus far.
Declan Rice - 7
The West Ham man seemingly destined for a big time move has been the heartbeat of the England team trying to collect the ball off the back four.
The 23-year-old’s best work is always off the ball; his athleticism and size eats up the ground as he hunts down opponents at a frightening rate. His penchant to pass sideways can still frustrate, though.
Aurelien Tchouameni - 8
Aurelien Tchouameni was a name that was floating around Europe prior to his move to Real Madrid, but few realised just how good the 22-year-old really is. There’s a reason Real was OK with letting Casemiro go.
He has dominated in the middle of the park with his expert breaking of the play and smart, enterprising play with the ball. He quickly asserted himself as a must start for one of the biggest clubs in the world and a heavyweight country, too.
Aurelien Tchouameni has showed why Real Madrid were happy to let Casemiro leave the club
Jude Bellingham - 9
The star of the World Cup thus far. The 19-year-old has shown he can play at the top level for a couple of years now with stellar displays in the Champions League and now he has transferred that to the biggest stage.
A goal against Iran and was followed by a frustrating, below-par outing against the U.S. Despite suggestions Southgate would drop him, Bellingham recovered against Wales and produced an inspired display against Senegal starting the play for Harry Kane’s goal and directly assisting Jordan Henderson for his.
His teenage fearlessness could be the key to England’s approach against the very best.
Jude Bellingham has been the star of the World Cup and is crucial for England's chances
Adrien Rabiot - 8
Without Paul Pogba to orchestrate, Rabiot is finally realising the potential many thought he had wasted.
Only Aurélien Tchouaméni has played more minutes for Les Blues at this World Cup than Rabiot. His elegance on the ball and dynamic runs off of it have been the perfect tonic to the incredible speed that flanks him. He will dictate the game against England if he is allowed to.
Adrien Rabiot is finally realising the potential that many people had thought he had wasted
FORWARDS
Phil Foden – 7
England fans couldn’t believe Gareth Southgate would let the game against the USA elapse without bringing on the quality of Phil Foden to unlock some doors, but that’s exactly what the Three Lions manager has done since then.
An assist for Kane to open his World Cup account against Senegal made a statement, but the fluidity and guile Foden shows is perhaps most valuable to England.
The 22-year-old has the technical skill to hang with any nation in the world and where England sometimes fail to dictate knock-out games, Foden is someone the team can always trust giving the ball to.
Phil Foden has shown his quality even if he hasn't always got the game-time fans hope for
Ousmane Dembele - 8
It wasn’t long ago people were talking about Dembele as a Barcelona flop, but in the last six months, we’ve begun to see why he commanded a £120 million fee just a few years ago.
Still only 25, Dembele’s direct dribbling at frightening pace - even Kyle Walker has been left in his dust before - have lit up this World Cup.
He has created nine chances in four games and if England concentrate too much on Mbappe, Dembele will punish them.
Harry Kane - 7.5
England’s talisman is just one goal away from equalling Wayne Rooney’s all-time England goalscoring record.
His goal
