World Cup talking points: Things just got serious...

All the World Cup talking points...

France’s scary potential

France got off to a slow start at the World Cup but four goals against Argentina last weekend will be a stark reminder to Uruguay of what they are capable of producing.

“The group matches were laborious at times,” agreed assistant coach Guy Stephan, of their two wins and one draw in Group C. “But it must be understood that we came up against well organised opponents. We understand the desire for this French team to be successful, to score goals and be creative.”

No more will that be needed than against Uruguay, who have conceded just once in the tournament. “They are a compact block, tightly aligned next to each other and with a massive solidarity,” added Stephan.

But if any side has the armoury to break them down, it is France, with Mbappe at the attacking helm and Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud alongside.

“I don’t think France has had as powerful an attack since 1998 when they won the World Cup,” said former Croatia coach Slaven Bilic, a TV pundit in Moscow during the tournament.

“When I saw Mbappe sprinting some 70 yards to earn France a penalty, I thought to myself ‘that’s incredible’,” former Switzerland striker Stephane Chapuisat told reporters. “In addition, he has another quality that you don’t often see in goal scorers: Altruism.”

Mbappe feeds off team-mates as much as he contributes to the collective.

Belgium’s acid test

Belgium’s golden generation headed for Russia as one of the favourites to return with the trophy and although they needed every ounce of resolve at their disposal to fight way back from disaster against Japan in the last 16, they remain on course. However, a squad boasting the individual talent of Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku simply cannot afford to give Brazil a head start in Kazan if they are to fulfil their dream.

Belgium 3-2 Japan. What a goal! What a horrible way to go out of the World Cup! Nacer Chadli sends Belgium through to the quarter-finals with a last-gasp goal #rtesoccer #worldcup #BEL #JPN pic.twitter.com/ggWONgcic5

— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) July 2, 2018

No more, Neymar. Please.

Neymar’s skills deserve to be displayed on the biggest stage of all. However, the Paris St Germain star’s histrionics are as much a part of his game as his breathtaking ability and the unedifying sight of him rolling around theatrically on the floor after Mexico midfielder Miguel Layun had appeared to step on his ankle drew stinging criticism. Any repeat would take some of the gloss of what should be the perfect showcase for the world’s most expensive player.

Swede dreams

Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson says tomorrow’s World Cup quarter-final against Sweden will be “their most difficult game so far”.

“England have a great chance to make a World Cup semi-final,” Eriksson said.

“But, if anyone in the squad thinks they have an easy game on Saturday, they’re wrong. It’ll be the most difficult game they’ll have played so far, they can bet on that.

“It would be easier for England to beat Brazil than to beat Sweden, in my opinion.

“Sweden will be more or less the same as Iceland in Euro 2016 — they don’t have the best footballers in the world, and none of our players would play in the first team of the biggest clubs in the world since Zlatan [Ibrahimovic] has left.”

Eriksson added that Janne Andersson’s side, who eliminated the Netherlands and Italy in qualifying and topped the group which defending champions Germany finished bottom of, would be hard to break down.

“As a team, the way they work together, they are one of the best,” he added. “Sweden today are a very hard team to break down.

I can see a draw and extra-time. England have set-pieces, Sweden will make some chances, but the game will come down to luck - the team that makes the most of their luck will win. It will be very tight.

“Many teams have tried to break down Sweden. Italy couldn’t score in 180 minutes in the qualifying play-offs. Germany struggled in the group stage and needed Toni Kroos’ free-kick to save them. Switzerland could have played for a week and still not scored against Sweden.

“The defence is a great strength, especially from set-pieces. Sweden are a tall team at the back and very well organised.