A contrasting clash of styles is set to occur on Friday when World Cup 2018’s quarter-finals kick-off with the clash between Uruguay and France.
Here are the key battles:
DIEGO GODIN V RAPHAEL VARANE
Godin’s reputation as the world’s best centre-back has only been bolstered by his antics in Russia.
Uruguay’s second-most-capped player in history has stood tall throughout for a side who conceded for the first time with Pepe’s headed equaliser for Portugal in the previous round. A complex test now awaits against the varied France attack.
Atletico Madrid team-mate Antoine Griezmann – whose daughter Godin is godfather to – will drop deep, Olivier Giroud will offer a physical battle and the pace of Kylian Mbappe will stretch him.
Godin will hope his understanding forged at club and international level with Jose Gimenez will be enough to keep the door bolted.
Varane has been determined to make up on lost time after injury ruled him out of Euro 2016’s run to the final.
The Real Madrid man has played every minute for Les Bleus, not even skipping the dead rubber against Denmark in the group stage.
His job is to read the game expertly and sweep up any danger, leaving the combat to Barcelona rival Samuel Umtiti. Varane is only averaging 0.3 tackles per game in Russia, but has registered a colossal average of 6.5 clearances per run-out.
He will need to be at his most alert to repel Luis Suarez – and potentially the injury-struck Edinson Cavani.
RODRIGO BENTANCUR V PAUL POGBA
Past and future clash at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium when Bentancur battles Pogba.
The former is the present for Juventus, the latter the – then – world record sale to Manchester United. This duo will battle to exert influence on this last-eight tie.
At 21 years old, Bentancur is entrusted with immense responsibility in setting the tempo for Uruguay in midfield. Backed up by the likes of Lucas Torreira and Matias Vecino, he will hope to gain the platform to excel.
Pogba put in his performance of the tournament in the preceding 4-3 victory against Argentina. The 25-year-old recovered the ball 10 times, had 13 passes in the final third and two interceptions.
An all-round ability that is unmatched, when at his best.
LUIS SUAREZ V KYLIAN MBAPPE
Suarez’s form has mirrored Uruguay’s in Russia – a slow start that has burst into life.
He began slovenly with two awful misses against Egypt. He then struck against Saudi Arabia and Russia, before playing one of the crosses of the tournament to tee up Edinson Cavani’s opener against Portugal.
With his usual strike partner struggling to be fit, Suarez gains in importance.
Mbappe’s nascent career broke more ground against Argentina.
He became the youngest player – at 19 years and six months – since Pele in 1958 to strike twice or more in a World Cup match during the tie with Argentina. His speed constantly upset a slow Argentina defence that played a suicidal high line.
But this won’t be the case against highly organised Uruguay. The more refined elements of the forward’s game will be required to find a way past Diego Godin and Co.
