England are into the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup where Gareth Southgate’s squad will face defending champions France. But what happens if the Three Lions beat Les Bleus?
Triumphs over Senegal and Poland in the Round of 16 has set up the only final-eight affair between two former champions. England clinched their only World Cup title so far back in 1966 on home soil. While France won it all at Russia 2018 and as the host nation in 1998.
Didier Deschamps could oversee just the third nation to retain the World Cup by winning it all again at Qatar 2022. Only Italy in 1934 and 1938 plus Brazil in 1958 and 1962 have gone on to defend their crown. England lost in the quarter-finals as the reigning holders in 1970.
How England and France made the quarter-finals at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar
France, meanwhile, produced one of the worst World Cup title defences yet during 2002 in Japan and South Korea. Les Bleus failed to even make it out of the groups in Asia. They lost 1-0 in the opening fixture to Senegal, drew 0-0 with Uruguay and lost 2-0 against Denmark.
Deschamps has already avoided repeating France’s calamities by topping Group D at Qatar 2022. They comfortably overcame Australia 4-1 and edged Denmark 2-1 before losing 1-0 to Tunisia. But the Bleus boss made nine changes with a place in the Round of 16 secured.
A 3-1 win over Poland then saw France breeze through to the quarter-finals where England await on Saturday, December 10. The Three Lions sealed a place in the Al Bayt Stadium tie after edging Senegal 3-0. They topped Group B with 6-2 and 3-0 wins over Iran and Wales.
What happens if England beat France in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals?
So, what happens if England now beat France or vice versa in the quarter-final of the 2022 World Cup? Well, the winner could be just 90 minutes from the final with a win at Al Bayt Stadium on Saturday. They will also return to the ground in Al Khor for their semi-final tie.
England, then, could play each of their knockout stage fixtures at the same venue – bar the final – by beating France. They also met Senegal at Al Bayt Stadium whilst Les Bleus edged Poland at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha. France have not yet featured at Al Bayt Stadium.
The winner from France and England’s game will return to Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday, December 14 for their semi-final. They will meet the winner of the quarter-final between Morocco and Portugal. France or England will know their next opponent before kicking off.
Morocco face Portugal at 15:00 GMT on December 10 before England play France at 19:00 GMT on the same day. While the other side of the draw will see Croatia face Brazil at 15:00 GMT on December 9 before the Netherlands take on Argentina at 19:00 GMT that evening.
The winner of the semi-final between Croatia or Brazil and the Netherlands or Argentina will meet whichever team emerges from England or France and Morocco or Portugal. The 2022 World Cup final will be at the Lusail iconic Stadium on Sunday, December 18 at 15:00 GMT.
The Three Lions’ and Les Bleus’ records in World Cup quarter-finals
England play France in their 10th quarter-final appearance at World Cups after making the last eight in 1954, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1986, 1990, 2002, 2006 and 2018. But the Three Lions have only won in the quarter-finals during 1966, 1990 and 2018 and the semi-final in 1966.
France, on the other hand, will feature in a quarter-final clash for the ninth time when they face England. Les Bleus made the final eight in 1938, 1958, 1982, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2014 and 2018. They have also only lost in a quarter-final twice after defeats in 1938 and 2014.
Southgate will now hope his squad can do what Italy and Germany did to Les Bleus in 1938 and 2014. The Azzurri went on to win the World Cup after beating France in the quarter-final in 1938. While Die Mannschaft would achieve global glory in 2014 after eliminating France.
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