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      Dream Team World Cup bosses to target Brazil and Portugal assets for quarter-final returns

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      DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP managers need to prepare their XIs for the quarter-finals.Assuming you have enough transfers in the bank, it’s probably wise to target the two quarter-finals that are seemingly easier to predict.
      On paper, England v France and Netherlands v Argentina are relatively even match-ups, this is reflected in the betting odds.
      Whereas Croatia v Brazil and Morocco v Portugal both have odds-on favourites.
      Don’t it wrong, Zlatko Dalic’s side and the Atlas Lions are both capable of progressing to the semi-finals, the former were finalists in Russia four years ago while the latter have been punching above their weight ever since they landed in Qatar.
      But the smart, logical money is on the Selecao and Fernando Santos’ mob to reach the last four.
      A shiny new toyCredit: getty
      So how would this strategy specifically translate to your Dream Team World Cup XI?
      Croatia have some excellent defenders and in Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic they have one of the best-balanced midfield trios in international football.
      Their fatal flaw is most commonly exposed in the final third where they can be uninspiring and wasteful.
      They put a leggy Canada to the sword but goals have been hard to come by in their other three fixtures this tournament.
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      2018’s runners-up drew 0-0 with both Morocco and Belgium in the group stage before drawing 1-1 with Japan in the round of 16, eventually progressing on penalties.
      Most Dream Team World Cup gaffers would instinctively think of Brazil’s attacking assets first but perhaps it would be smarter to back Thiago Silva (£5.5m), Marquinhos (£5.5m) and Alisson (£5m) to keep a clean sheet.
      That trio are nailed-on starters and they come at a cost.
      Cheaper alternatives Danilo (£3.5m) and Eder Militao (£4.5m) will be the full-backs unless Alex Sandro (£4m) recovers from injury, which is a possibility.
      Dream Team World Cup’s third-best forwardCredit: getty
      In terms of Brazil’s firepower, only Lionel Messi (£7.5m) and Kylian Mbappe (£7.5m) have more points among forwards than Richarlison (£5.5m) right now – the Spurs man has 33 to his name having scored three goals in three outings.
      With an ownership of 31.9%, Vinicius Junior (£6m) is the second-most selected midfielder in the game.
      The Real Madrid winger finally delivered the returns his talent promised in the round of 16 as he banked ten points at the expense of South Korea.
      Raphinha (£5m) will likely keep his place on the right flank and while he’s looked threatening, he’s been unable to provide the killer final touch, much to the frustration of his Dream Team World Cup owners.
      And of course, Neymar (£7m) remains the main man and, perhaps crucially, he’s the five-time world champions’ penalty taker.
      Portugal will have to work hard to break down a Moroccan side who have worked harder and been more disciplined than any other side at the tournament.
      Bruno Fernandes (£4.5m) is the best-performing midfielder in the game at this juncture having racked up 34 points by virtue of two goals and three assists in three appearances.
      Brazil are heavy favourites to vanquish CroatiaCredit: getty
      Goncalo Ramos (£3m) will be a popular recruit in the next 48 hours after his hat-trick against Switzerland and with good reason.
      However, given the North Africans are likely to attempt a repeat of their defensive masterclass against Spain when they meet Portugal on Saturday, are the latter’s defensive assets a potentially more reliable source of points?
      Diogo Dalot (£3.5m) started ahead of Joao Cancelo (£6m) at right-back against Switzerland while left-back Raphael Guerreiro (£3.5m) got on the scoresheet – with 16 points to date the Borussia Dortmund defender is the top performer in his position among his compatriots.
      Pepe (£4.5m) and Ruben Dias (£5.5m) make up an physically intimidating centre-back pairing although it’s worth noting the latter only has three points to show for his efforts in Qatar.
      Read More on The Sun
      Guerreiro appears in just 3% of teams at the time of writing
      Heading into the quarter-finals, a Dream Team World Cup XI featuring Alisson, Silva, Danilo, Guerreiro, Fernandes, Vinicius Jnr, Ramos and Richarlison would be well placed to provide plentiful returns in the quarter-finals.
      Dare you back the two clearest favourites to such a dramatic degree? More

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      Jack Grealish’s World Cup rivals placing bets on how many times tricky England ace will be fouled, claims team-mate

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      BERNARDO SILVA revealed he has been making bets with Portugal team-mates on how many free-kicks Jack Grealish will win in England games.The Manchester City maestro does not want his Portuguese to face the Three Lions in a World Cup semi-final that could feature as many as EIGHT of Pep Guardiola’s squad.
      Jack Grealish is always a target for opposition defendersCredit: Getty
      City’s £100million man Grealish last week claimed Bernardo is one of the best he has played with.
      Bernardo is also a big fan of Grealish, who typically wins a lot of free-kicks for City.
      The Portugal ace, whose side beat Switzerland 6-1 on Tuesday, said: “I keep sending messages to Jack.
      “I told him when he came on against Senegal, I was filming Ruben Dias and asked, ‘How many fouls do you think Jack Grealish is going to win in these 25 minutes?’
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      “Ruben said nine, I said seven, I was closer as he didn’t win that many.
      “I’m very happy for Jack and for Phil Foden as well, all City’s England players, they’ve been doing well.
      “I wish them all the best but I honestly don’t want to play against them in the semi-final.”
      If England dethrone France and Portugal beat underdogs Morocco on Saturday, they would meet in a Wednesday semi-final.
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      And Bernardo is only too aware of what Grealish might bring to such a game.
      He said: “He works for the team, the way he attracts players to create spaces for other players.
      “I think he is going to be great for Man City in the next few years.”
      Bernardo Silva does not want come up against his Man City palCredit: Getty More

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      Marcus Rashford relishing England fans’ support at World Cup after once believing they didn’t care if Three Lions LOST

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      MARCUS RASHFORD is relishing the support of England fans — after once feeling they did not mind if the team lost.And the Manchester United forward, 25, praised boss Gareth Southgate for rebuilding the relationship between players and supporters.
      Marcus Rashford feels England’s support is better than everCredit: PA
      Rashford, whose first tournament was the disastrous Euro 2016 under Roy Hodgson, said: “When Gareth took over it was something he was really focused on.
      “He just wanted us to try to grow a connection with the fans.
      “The support we feel now is different to the support we felt in my first camp, which was 2016.
      “It was a completely different atmosphere.
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      “I feel like . . . not like people wanted us to lose but that people didn’t mind us losing so they could kind of pull us down.”
      The squad are feeling the love in Qatar.
      He explained: “Sometimes you’re tired on the pitch and honestly it’s the fans that keep you going.
      “The adrenaline that they give us is what just keeps us running.”
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      Rashford earned his 50th cap as a sub against Senegal in the last 16 — and has his sights set on joining the century club.
      He added: “These achievements are special but everything moves so fast, you don’t get the chance to celebrate them.
      “I’m still quite young so I’ve definitely got an opportunity to reach 100 caps for my country. That would be unbelievable.” More

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      Harry Maguire reveals England squad ‘change in mentality’ as Man Utd ace claims: We finally believe we can win World Cup

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      HARRY MAGUIRE claims England have ‘got to win the World Cup’ as they prepare for Saturday’s showdown with France.The Manchester United captain revealed the remarkable belief rushing through the squad’s veins.
      Hary Maguire says there is a belief in the squad that England can win the World CupCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Maguire admitted the Three Lions did not have the confidence to triumph when they reached the semi-finals as France won Russia 2018 — but they do now.
      The centre-back said: “There is a lot of difference from the 2018 squad. We really believe that it is possible. I played in 2018 and we got to the semi-final and a lot of the lads were happy to be part of it.
      “We knew that whatever happened in that game we’d go home as heroes, get a good reception and everyone would be patting us on the back.
      “Now there’s a belief that we’ve got to win this tournament. It is a good change in mentality.

      “Of course, we know how tough it’s going to be.
      “There are probably five or six teams with the same belief. But in 2018, we probably weren’t one of those teams. Now, there’s five or six and we’re one of them.”
      Maguire and his team have conceded just two goals in Qatar — both in the 6-2 opening win over Iran — with clean sheets against the United States, Wales and Senegal.
      The former Leicester defender, set for his 53rd Three Lions cap, has had a nightmare season at United — barely playing and with many fans feeling he should not have been selected for Qatar.
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      Maguire was booed at England’s 3-0 March win over Ivory Coast at Wembley but still feels the majority of fans back him.
      He said: “I know the England fans have always been with me.
      “They’ve been amazing and always sang my name, giving me confidence and belief. I’ve repaid them with lots of good memories.
      “I’m a fan of England myself. My country means everything and it’s a huge honour every time I put on the shirt. I think the fans see that.”
      Meanwhile, a relieved Maguire has revealed England players’ families are loving the World Cup in Qatar.
      Maguire’s dad, Alan, suffered broken ribs being bundled over in chaotic scenes at the Euro 2020 final at Wembley, while Eric Dier will not let his mum go to games due to abuse.
      But Maguire said: “My family have spoken highly of everything to do with the tournament.
      “The access, the travel to games, the fans in the stadium, the atmosphere among the English fans.
      Read More on The Sun
      “They’ve really enjoyed it and that makes you feel more at ease, knowing you don’t have to worry.
      “As players, we don’t want to worry about things like that. We want to focus on the football.” More

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      Harry Maguire reveals sweet texts from Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag with revitalised ace thriving with England at World Cup

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      HARRY MAGUIRE has received some good luck texts from Manchester United’s management team — including Erik ten Hag — during this World Cup.Ironic, really, when you consider Maguire’s problems at Old Trafford have increased tenfold since Ten Hag took over.
      Harry Maguire is showing his best form for England at the World CupCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Erik ten Hag is enjoying what he is seeing from his centre-backCredit: Getty
      Despite just THREE Premier League starts this season, and major concerns over his lack of game time going into this tournament, the defender has been one of Gareth Southgate’s best players.
      During those first four games for the Three Lions, he has shown some cojones to shrug off the worst spell of his career and hit the ground running as England reach for the stars.
      Maguire, preparing for Saturday’s quarter-final against France, said: “I’m 29 years old, the captain of Man Utd and have made 52 appearances for my country, so when I look back on my career, I put everything into perspective.
      “I’m living the dream. I’m doing everything I always wanted to do. So for the next stage of my career, I want to start winning trophies.
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      “The last year has been difficult and I haven’t played as well as I’ve done in the previous five years at the top level.
      “But during a career, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are probably the only two who’ve not had a dip.
      “It’s a 15-year career, if you’re lucky. There’s no way, especially with all the scrutiny that’s on defences these days, you’re not going to have dips.
      “As a player, you want to play. I’ve been used to playing throughout my career.
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      “This is the first year that I’ve really sat on a bench in a few games.“I obviously got an injury as well, a thigh injury that kept me out for four weeks. But I’ll fight to get my place back at United.”
      For Maguire, though, it has not been about silencing his critics — just performing for his country.
      He added: “I don’t think that I’ve proved a point out here.
      “I was in the Euros team of the tournament so I know what I’m capable of.
      “I’ve not hid away from the last year. It’s been difficult, but I always knew and had great belief in myself that I’d find my form and regain my confidence and my focus.
      “I’m really happy it’s happened at the biggest tournament.
      “Now, I feel in a good place. I feel good mentally, I feel good physically. I feel fresh and I’m just looking forward to a big game on Saturday.”
      Maguire has been showcasing his mental toughness in the Werewolf deception-based card games the Three Lions stars are hooked on playing in Qatar.

      And he added: “I’m quite good at psychology to be honest. I’ve needed to be over the last year or so!”
      For Maguire has been forced to deal with some pretty vicious criticism.
      Many people — including former players — claimed he should not even have been allowed on the England plane, let alone in the starting line-up.
      He added: “I listen to people around me like my family and friends. My team-mates, the staff here.
      “I know how valued they see me and I feel it within the camp and squad.
      “So that gives me great belief and confidence. I go back to my past memories and performances at tournaments.
      “When there is a squad decided or team picked for England, there are always players who ‘shouldn’t be playing’.
      “That’s why Gareth has such a hard job, because there’s a lot of talent who could play. It’s about my belief and listening to those around me.”
      A quarter-final against France – the world champions, some the favourites… these are the games we play forHarry Maguire
      Maguire, revealing his texts from Manchester, said: “While I am away, they want me to focus fully on England.
      “But I have had a couple of nice texts from them saying how well I’ve performed and congratulations on reaching the quarter-finals. It’s nice.
      “I am sure they’ll be watching the games but Erik will be supporting the Oranje army. It is good to feel the support of them.”
      The central defender has excelled for England out here.
      And despite being caught out for the first Iranian goal he was immediately substituted as he felt unwell.
      Against Senegal, both he and John Stones were guilty of some stray passes but their team’s attacking strength took the opposition apart.
      Clearly, France’s 23-year-old superstar Kylian Mbappe will be a different prospect.
      Maguire, who will be bursting with pride when the national anthem begins on Saturday, said: “Mbappe is a wonderful player.
      Maguire has been one of the standout performers in QatarCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      France have an embarrassment of riches in attackCredit: Reuters
      “He’s had an amazing tournament, he’s one of the best in the world. But we’d be naive to just focus on one player.
      “He is a big player for the team but they also have so many different talents as well.
      “I think Olivier Giroud is the top goalscorer, Ousmane Dembele is playing really well on the other wing.
      “You’ve got Antoine Griezmann, too, so there’s so many different players they can bring in and affect the game.
      “But we come into these big tournaments and our defensive record is always good. It’s three clean sheets so far, so we’ve got to take great belief in what we’ve done as a defence so far.
      “It is a huge game. I am just super proud every time I sing that anthem.
      “It is one of the proudest moments of my life. You just can’t really explain the feeling.
      “You are focused, nervous and excited. You have butterflies but, for sure, I’ll be ready to go.
      “A quarter-final against France — the world champions. Some people say the favourites to win the competition.
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      “But these are the games we play for. These are the games growing up that you want to be involved in.
      “They are huge pressure games but this is the pressure you want. This is where we need to deliver.” More

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      England vs France World Cup quarter-final is battle of the wide men.. and ours are better than theirs.. even with Mbappe

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      WHEN we held our Sun panel night ahead of this World Cup the verdict was clear.Myself, Harry Redknapp, Jack Wilshere and Ledley King were all of the opinion that if we got to the quarter-finals against France it would be: “Thanks for having us, this is where we get off, it’s the end of the line.”
      Kylian Mbappe is the man England have to stopCredit: AP
      Kyle Walker and Jordan Henderson will be key to countering Mbappe’s threatCredit: Getty
      Gareth Southgate could place his trust in the same team that beat SenegalCredit: Getty
      I’m not feeling like that any more. There’s a shaft of light and it’s not just my heart either that’s taken over from my head.
      For I can see weaknesses in this French team.
      While we all know their threats going forward, with the lightning-fast Kylian Mbappe, the strength of Olivier Giroud and the guile of Antoine Griezmann, we have plenty of attacking threat, too.
      But the defence will have the biggest influence on this game. Which four-man unit works best with the keeper?
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      It will probably be even more nuanced than that. For I see this match being the battle of the full-backs and I am convinced our two are better than theirs.
      France haven’t kept a clean sheet in the tournament and if I was French coach Didier Deschamps, I’d be stressing to them to work defensively and get the first shutout as their priority.
      They have inexperience at full-back where one of them, Theo Hernandez, has only played ten times and Jules Kounde 15.
      Compare that to Luke Shaw on 27 caps, and Kyle Walker’s 72, and it’s they who should be worrying about us exploiting their wide areas rather than us panicking about their attack.
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      Understandably, everyone is now looking at Mbappe but Griezmann is opening up doors for fun.
      He’s a bit of a Lionel Messi, he’s scary. But we’ve a few like that as well in Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish.
      People are saying if Mbappe gets a run on Harry Maguire it’s all over but if he gets a run on any of them one-on-one it could be all over.
      He’s going to be on Walker’s side and potentially he should be quick enough to deal with Mbappe. John Stones is on that side too which helps.
      If he wanders to Maguire’s side then we’ve got problems.
      England will have to double up on Mbappe, which will put pressure on Jordan Henderson, whose job will be to help Walker.
      Mbappe’s good, but I’m not sure he’s a Maradona or a Pele yet, although he’s definitely working towards it and, at 23, what a player he is. But we don’t need to do any more than double up on him.
      I doubt England will go man for man on him. Gareth Southgate will just be telling Jordan that for this one there’ll be no breaking forward to score like against Senegal.
      His job will be to stop the ball getting to Mbappe or giving him space and not letting the ball in the box for Giroud to attack.
      Stay as a unit, stay tight and don’t allow any one-on-one situations. But the French will be telling their team not to let the ball get into Harry Kane.
      We would have extra insurance if Gareth switched to a three but I doubt he’ll do that.
      He’s going to trust those who have got him there so far, match them up, and go 4-3-3.
      If we need an example, the team I’ve seen work best defensively are Holland. They are the boring, boring Arsenal of this World Cup.
      They are so well drilled by Louis van Gaal and I can see them beating Argentina in the quarters.
      Holland have used a three and become really defensive but I believe they will do a job on Messi.
      If they do it, would Gareth change his tactics and think: “We should do it that way,” and play with a back five to plug holes? Probably not but it’s worth considering.
      I do want us to avoid trying to pass through them, there’s no joy there, you get blocked off too easily.
      Against Senegal it was only when we started to go longer and pinged balls out wide that we stretched the play and turned the game. We need Maguire to hit those diagonals not slipping short balls into central midfield where we can be counter-attacked.
      It will be a magnificent game and I can’t wait. I’m very excited about it.
      We all know it will be very close — one goal either way and could even go to penalties.
      I do still wonder if we’re missing that special ingredient that makes you World Cup winners.
      France won it in 1998 with that extra magic in Zinedine Zidane. When Italy won it you go, “Wow, best defence in the world”. I can’t see that with us yet.
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      We need to be special in one area and I don’t know what it is yet. Is it the best at set-plays, defence, or best penalty-takers — or Bellingham scoring more goals to go from a good player to a magnificent player?
      We’ve got to raise the bar because this French game will be on another level. There’s no messing about now, we’re in with the big boys. More

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      I’m the real Kylian Mbappe and I live in Leicester – I’m backing England to beat France

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      ENGLAND were tipped to beat France by Kylian Mbappe — a teenage student from Leicester.Kylian, 16, is a second cousin of the PSG superstar, 23, who aims to break Three Lions hearts in Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final.
      Kylian Mbappe, who is a second cousin of the PSG superstar, tips England to beat FranceCredit: Louis Wood
      Kylian Mbappe aims to break Three Lions hearts in Saturday’s World Cup quarter-finalCredit: Getty
      Left-footed Kylian plays too and said: “I’m the real Kylian Mbappe and am backing England.
      “If Gareth Southgate called me up I’d stop Mbappe. I’m pretty fast like him. It must run in the family. And I’m a decent defender.”
      English Kylian was born in Paris to Steeve, 46 — cousin of Mbappe’s dad Wilfried.
      The sports studies student added: “My dad and family are all supporting France but I’m behind England. All my friends are Three Lions-mad.
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      “And if I’m honest, I’m more English than French now.
      “I speak better English, I’ve lived here for longer, I love baked beans and Greggs.
      “I’d pick a sausage roll over a croque monsieur any day.”
      While his cousin earns £650,000 a week and owns a £3million flat in Paris, Kylian makes £6.50-an-hour washing dishes at The Frame pub and lives in a £350,000 three-bed semi in Braunstone Town.
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      His namesake drives a £500,000 Ferrari 488 Pista while the Brit has a £5-a-day bus ticket.
      Teen Kylian, whose mum lives in France, added: “I’ve never had any trouble from my name. All my friends knew me before Mbappe was famous, so I’m still Kylian to them.”
      He plays left-back for club side Friar Lane & Epworth FC and said: “Other teams must take a second look when they see me on the team sheet.
      “Maybe they think it’s a joke.”
      He added: “I only realised my name was so crazy when I was watching TV and saw this young Monaco player called Kylian Mbappe. I told my dad and he said, ‘Yes, that’s the son of my cousin’. I found it funny but it’s a real honour. I would love to meet him one day.”
      Dad-of-two Steeve grew up with cousin Wilfried in Cameroon.
      He added: “When my son was born I didn’t even think about the name. I picked Kylian because I liked the meaning (little warrior).
      Kylian, 16, with his dad SteeveCredit: Louis Wood
      Flying Frenchman Mbappe has already scored five goals in the tournamentCredit: Getty
      “It was only when I went with Wilfried to watch his son, we thought the coincidence was hilarious. I would not swap my boys for the world and I have the real No1 Kylian Mbappe.”
      Yesterday The Sun told how Mbappe himself is an England fan — after draping his waxwork in Three Lions memorabilia. More

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      Three Lions’ Kyle Walker vows to give French superstar Kylian Mbappe a run for his money in World Cup showdown

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      THREE Lions speed merchant Kyle Walker yesterday vowed to give French flier Kylian Mbappe a proper run for his money in Saturday’s World Cup showdownThe England full back, 32, said: “I’m not going to roll out the red carpet for him and tell him to go and score. It’s do or die.”
      With a top sprint speed of 23.48mph, Kyle Walker virtually matches Mbappe (23.50mph) for pace – and will be a key man in England’s defenceCredit: Getty
      Flying Frenchman Mbappe has already scored five goals in the tournamentCredit: Getty

      The 23-year-old French ace has himself said of gritty campaigner Kyle: “He is one of the rare players who make me suffer.”
      Manchester City star Kyle can put the brakes on the Paris Saint-Germain superstar, who has already scored five goals in Qatar.
      With a top sprint speed of 23.48mph, Walker virtually matches Mbappe (23.50mph) for pace.
      The pair’s duel has become the focal point of a potentially epic quarter-final clash at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor.
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      Kyle insisted yesterday: “This game is not England v Mbappe. The game is England v France. 
      “If we lose we go home. He’s not going to stand in my way of hopefully winning a World Cup for my country.” He added: “Do I understand the focus on Mbappe? Of course I do. 
      “I understand what I need to do and that’s obviously to stop him. 
      “It’s probably easier said than done but I don’t underestimate myself. I’ve played him before and I’ve come up against great players with England, Man City and other clubs. 
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      “I have to give him the respect he deserves but not too much because he’s playing England and we can also cause them problems.”
      The rivals – who are both 5ft 10in tall — have faced each other four times in the past while playing for their clubs in the Champions League and a friendly. The results are level at two wins each.
      Mbappe has only scored once playing against Kyle — and that was in a 2-1 defeat in November. Statistics show Walker has been dribbled past just three times in his last 24 England games.
      The England full back, 32, said: ‘I’m not going to roll out the red carpet for him and tell him to go and score. It’s do or die’Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Walker and Mbappe duel in a Champions League match from 2021Credit: Getty
       Wily Kyle — who has 74 international caps — also told how his superior experience could be the key to thwarting Mbappe.
      He said: “You have to use a little bit of nous – you can’t be a speedboat without a driver.
      “You need to obviously use your brain when needed and I can’t get as tight to him as I probably would with some other players.
      The pair’s duel has become the focal point of a potentially epic quarter-final clash at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al KhorCredit: The Mega Agency
      “France versus England has always been a great game and a great battle. . . . and you are going to get another one on Saturday.”
      Kyle refused to accept that the Three Lions will be the underdogs against the world champions. 
      He said: “don’t see an outright favourite or an underdog. I see two very good teams that are going to go toe-to-toe.”
      Mbappe missed training on Monday and was spotted in an injury recovery room. But France said he rejoined the squad yesterday and is likely to fit to play.
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      Before England beat Senegal 3-0 in their last match, Match of the Day host and ex-Three Lions ace Gary Lineker suggested resting Walker to save him for battle with Mbappe.
      He said Kyle is “just about the only full-back on the planet that can compete with Kylian Mbappe — and that is the French team”. More