Panache and flair against rearguard organisation
France picked up two trophies in 1998. One, of course, was the country’s only FIFA World Cup title, won on home soil. It was also the birth year of Kylian Mbappe, the 19-year-old who is emerging as one of the biggest stars of the World Cup. “Well, that was a good year for him to be born, even if he did not see much of the 1998 World Cup,” joked French coach Didier Deschamps, who was the captain in ‘98. “I’m very happy that Mbappe is a French citizen.” It will be France’s searing speed led by Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann against Uruguay’s defence, anchored by Diego Godin, tomorrow in Nizhny Novgorod in the World Cup quarterfinals. The winner will face Brazil or Belgium. Uruguay have given up only one goal in four World Cup matches, and France have scored seven — most in the 4-3 victory over Argentina in the round of 16.
BIn scoring twice against Argentina, Mbappe became the first teenager with multiple goals in a World Cup knockout game since a 17-yearold Péle did it twice (including a hat-trick against France) in 1958. It is a big stage with inevitable comparisons that Mbappe smiled about and then batted away. “It’s flattering to be the second one since Pele,” said Mbappe, born in France to a father from Cameroon and a mother from Algeria. “But let’s put things in perspective. Pele’s another category.” The match will showcase several cross-border friendships. Griezmann plays at Atlético Madrid where his teammates are Uruguayan defenders Godin and José María Gimenez. Godin is the godfather of Griézmann’s daughter. While Godin and Giménez will try to stop Griezmann, Uruguay striker Luis Suárez will be opposing Barcelona teammate Samuel Umtiti. “I’ve always joked ... that I wanted to face Umtiti at a World Cup,” Suárez said. “And it came true.” Suárez’s running mate, Edinson Cavani, scored both goals in the knockout win over Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal but is nursing a hamstring injury, and it is unclear if he will play.