Uruguay Vs France – World Cup Match Review

France face a real test and also their third South American opponent in four matches. And unlike the game against Argentina in the round of 16,Uruguay are much more disciplined than their neighbors. They also have an attacking presence that could cause problem for any back line and the French aren’t excluded. It sure looks like one hell of a match.

URUGUAY

In the previous round the South Americans did defeat Portugal and would still be oozing with confidence coming into this game. Two top class finishes from Edinson Cavani was enough to see them beat Portugal and go through. It is a major minus that he might not feature in this game. Uruguay would have to employ the services of either Maxi Gomez or Cristhian Stuani to help fill up the void Cavani has created.

Meanwhile in Uruguay’s previous game all they had to do was stop Ronaldo which automatically translated to stopping Portugal. Unlike Portugal, France can’t be said to be a one man team as there is also another threat in the person of Antoine Griezmann. And with all the focus being on Mbappe, it just might give the forward space to do more damage. His teammates at Atletico Madrid, Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez in the opposition defence will just have to take care of their own.

FRANCE

Le blues will have to do their best to keep Luis Suarez from menace as he looked really dangerous in his previous game. Having conceded three goals against Argentina in their last game, Uruguay would be looking to take advantage of some weaknesses in the French defense which were not visible before. Although we have all seen how much of a wreck the French team can create when they attack, their potential is limitless.

Kylian Mbappe put a stamp on his quality, proving critics wrong as he confirmed his status as a wonder kid with 2 goals. The 19 year old was really brilliant against the Argentines and would be heading into this game still holding his head high. His pace might just be the only magic wand worthy of rattling this Uruguayan defense. Mbappe who is currently on three goals might just be looking to add to his tally hence the anytime goal scorer.

EXPECTATIONS

The French have enough quality to give the Uruguayans a very difficult time and enough for the defense to worry about. Nevertheless, Les blues have failed to keep a clean sheet in 7 of their last ten outings.
Totaling an average of 1.75 goals so far in this world cup. Uruguay has been tagged a defensive team by many would be fancying their chance to score here once again. So a both teams to score selection should not be a far cry.
Russia 2018 has produced so much drama that even if Uruguay beat France, it wouldn’t make news.

HEAD TO HEAD

These sides have met at the world cup on three previous occasions. Uruguay won 2-1 in 1966 playing a 0-0 draw in 2002 and later on in South Africa 2010. With five matches in this century, their most recent meeting was in 2013 where Uruguay won 1-0. They haven’t met since that game. France have won just one of the previous eight meetings.

Predicted Lineup:

Uruguay

Muslera, Caceres, Gimenez, Godin, Laxalt, Nandez, Torreira, Vecino, Bentancur, Arrascaeta, Suarez

France :

Lloris, Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Hernandez, Pogba, Kante, Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe, Giroud

PICK

Under 2.5 goals