World Cup: England vs France - How they have compared in Qatar

Matty Briggs
5 December 2022

England take on World Cup holders France in the quarter-finals on Saturday but how do the two giants' stats compare so far?

England lined up a mouth-watering World Cup quarter-final showdown with France on Sunday night after recovering from a nervy start to seal a 3-0 win over Senegal.

It's a game that pits arguably the best two teams in the tournament together at the last-eight stage, meaning someone is going home early.

Senegal's high press looked to have England perplexed for much of the first half on Sunday, but once Gareth Southgate had tweaked his tactics to see Jordan Henderson drop deeper to open up more passing lanes into midfield, it was a routine victory for the Three Lions.

Goals from the impressive Henderson, Harry Kane and the speedy Bukayo Saka saw England cruise home in second gear after the break.

While Southgate insisted Senegal were a step up from their group opposition, there is no doubting World Cup holders France will provide England with their sternest test so far.

Ranked four in the world, Didier Deschamps' men have impressed en route to their place in the last eight.

No clean sheets

Wins over Australia and Denmark saw them through Group D before a much-changed line-up lost 1-0 to Tunisia. Poland were then brushed aside 3-1 in Sunday's round-of-16 clash as Kylian Mbappe stole the show.

Les Bleus have scored nine goals but interestingly they have conceded in every game - and Southgate will be encouraged by that. England for their part have managed three clean sheets.

No team has scored more than the 12 goals England have netted in Qatar - and their effectiveness in transition against Senegal may just have Deschamps concerned.

England have also shown a ruthless streak in front of goal, converting a high percentage of their 34 attempts from inside the penalty area and 10 from outside the box. They have also managed 21 shots on target.

In comparison, France have managed 48 efforts from inside the box and 20 from outside the area with 23 on target.

Passing stats

England have edged the passing stats, with John Stones (376) their leading man from 2,270 completed passes. France have managed 2,156, but they have made more crosses, completing 38 from 104 to England's 25 from 72, while Descamps' men have won the corner count 29 to 20 so far.

England lead the way with 585 attempted line breaks to France's 450, while the Three Lions rely on Stones (107) to make the majority of their line-breaking passes, with Antoine Griezmann (55) leading the way for France.

England's midfield also has the edge over France with Jude Bellingham (249) making more sprints than France's top runner Adrien Rabiot (196). Meanwhile, Declan Rice has clocked up 44.26km so far, with Aurelien Tchouameni France's top man on 40.3km.

Past meetings

England have shaded the majority of the tournament stats, but they will have to stop tournament top scorer Mbappe (five) if they are to go and better their 2018 semi-final appearance.

France also have the edge in recent meetings, although the teams have not met for five and a half years.

France won a season-ending friendly 2-1 at the Stade de France in 2017 even though they had Raphael Varane sent off early in the second half.

England won 2-0 in a friendly at Wembley in November 2015, with Dele Alli and Wayne Rooney on the scoresheet - but you have to go back to 1997's Le Tournoi win over France for their previous success over Les Bleus.