Kylian Mbappe, not for the first time, set the world alight on Sunday afternoon with a sensational double against Poland. The 23-year-old attacker netted his ninth World Cup goal in the dying stages of France's victory – taking over Cristiano Ronaldo's total and equalling the great Lionel Messi.
"Of course, this World Cup is an obsession for me, it's the competition of my dreams," Mbappe said to reporters after the match in Qatar. "I have built my season around this competition and around being ready both physically and mentally for it.
"I wanted to come here ready and so far things are going well. But we are still a long way from the objective we set and that I set."
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Mbappe helped inspire France to the quarter-finals of the World Cup as they look to retain the trophy they lifted four years ago in Russia. Les Bleus will face England on Saturday evening after the Three Lions beat Senegal 3-0 on Sunday night, and Gareth Southgate will have to deliberate hard to try and come up with a plan to combat the brilliant Mbappe.
In the England squad, there are Kyle Walker, who has started at right-back in the last two games, Kieran Trippier and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has been strongly criticised in recent times for his defensive capabilities. One man the Three Lions are without is Chelsea full-back Reece James.
The 22-year-old defender sustained a knee injury in October and despite his best efforts to recover in time, he was left out of the squad by Southgate. James has been outstanding for the Blues ever since breaking into the first-team back in September 2019. England are very blessed when it comes to right-backs but many regard James as the best of the lot.
The Cobham graduate is arguably best equipped to deal with Mbappe – if anyone can – but Southgate will not be able to call upon the Chelsea right-back. Instead, the England boss may be tempted to go with Walker again.
While Walker is the quickest option, which theoretically should match, or almost match, Mbappe, the Manchester City full-back can be caught out defensively sometimes. What Walker lacks in discipline, James makes up for. The Chelsea star's understanding of the game is second to none and he is rarely caught out of position, even when he is playing in a more advanced right wing-back role.
James has come up against some of European football's most dangerous attackers in the past and 'pocketed' them in the process. It's not doing Walker a disservice, it's just how good James is.
However, Gary Neville believes Walker is the perfect option to match Mbappe. Speaking to Sky Sports News, the former Manchester United defender said: "Mbappe, I think we've got the best right-back in the world to be able to deal with him.
"That's not to say we have the best right-back in the world, but in terms of physicality, pace, experience, I couldn't think of anyone better to match Kylian Mbappe than Kyle Walker. That's not to say he'll keep him quiet for 90 minutes, because Mbappe is sensational. He's so special, it's untrue.
"But we have a chance because we have a player there who can match him in certain areas. I don't think he'll give him the space he was afforded against Poland in the last 30 minutes, whenever he scored those goals. So I think we've got a chance."
Neville is right in terms of Walker's speed and strength might be able to combat Mbappe. However, if the City defender loses concentration for a small moment, that's when Mbappe punishes teams.
James will be watching from home. As will the rest of England as they take on the best team in world football on Saturday night, with the best player in world football looking to steal the show as well.
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