2018 FIFA World Cup: Will Offense or Defense Reign Supreme in Uruguay vs France?

•  Uruguay and France meet in Quarter-Finals play at 10:00 a.m. EST on Friday, July 6th
• Will Uruguay’s star strikers recover from injury in time for Friday’s match?
• Will teenage sensation Kylian Mbappé conintue to impress for France on the world stage?

The tournament’s stingiest defensive team enters this FIFA World Cup Quarter-Finals match with both of its star strikers potentially carrying injury concerns. Uruguay topped Group A with a perfect 3-0-0 record without allowing a single goal. In Round of 16 play against Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal, they managed to shut down the Portuguese star, but allowed their first goal in a 2-1 victory.

The Uruguayans are in rare territory. Outside of a fourth-place finish in South Africa in 2010, this is the furthest they’ve progressed since another fourth-place finish in 1970.

Against Portugal, Uruguay did what they do best and that was frustrate their opposition defensively and capitalize on their few offensive opportunities. They were outshot in both total shots and shots on target by 20-5 and 5-3 margins. They also only held 32% of possession. However, two goals on three shots by Edinson Cavani at the 7′ and 62′ minutes were enough to see them through. Cavani’s night would end soon after though as he was subbed off in the 74′ minute with an apparent calf injury.

Reports say Cavani has swelling, but no muscle tear in the calf. However, he was seen limping around the team’s hotel over the weekend. He also sat out the team’s training session on Tuesday and remains doubtful for Friday’s action. Speaking of that recent training session, Cavani’s strike partner Luis Suárez also suffered a knock to his leg on Tuesday. He was forced to leave training but did manage to return later.

The French also topped their group and faced Lionel Messi and Argentina in what turned out to be one of the most exciting matches of the tournament in their Round of 16 game. The match saw end-to-end action in what turned out to be a 4-3 win for the French.

The Argentines had more shots, nearly 200 more passes, and held 61% of the possession, but the French went a perfect four goals on four shots in the win.

Antoine Griezmann put Les Bleus out in front early with a 13′ minute penalty kick goal, but Ángel Di María drew Argentina even right before half with a strike from distance.

The last time France made it this far was back in 1998 when they also won the tournament.

Early in the second half Argentina got lucky with a deflected goal from Gabriel Mercado to take what would be their only lead of the game at the 48′ minute. Less then ten minutes later French defender Benjamin Pavard brought France back even. From there 19-year-old Kylian Mbappé took over and sealed the game with goals at 64′ and 68′. Second half substitute Sergio Agüero would pull one back in injury time for Argentina but it was too little, too late.

France has made it as far as they did in World Cup 2014 in reaching the quater-finals. However prior to that, the last time they made it this far was back in 1998 when they won the tournament.

Will offence or defence prevail?

Along with Brazil, Uruguay have allowed the fewest goals in World Cup 2018. Each team has only seen one goal struck into the back of their net. How good have Uruguay been? Consider that they are only the sixth team in World Cup history to win their first four games while only allowing one goal.

The last time this feat was achieved came back in 2006 when each of Portugal and Brazil accomplished it. Those teams finished fourth and were eliminated in the quarters respectively. Of the five teams who have achieved this, no team has ever not made it to at least the quarter-finals.

Mbappé’s brace last game makes him the first teenager to score two goals in a match since Pelé did it for Brazil back in 1958. Mbappé’s speed troubled Argentina all day and it was that speed that caused him to be brought down in the box for Griezmann’s penalty.

World Cup Stats

Betting Advice

France to Qualify -220
Match to Go To Penalties +360
Anytime Scorer – Griezmann +175
Anytime Scorer  – Mbappé +200

The last time Uruguay opened a World Cup tournament with four straight wins came all the way back in 1930. At the time, with less teams competing, that fourth game was a finals victory over Argentina.

Uruguay have been a trendy pick to go far in World Cup 2018. When healthy they have all the pieces and do all the right things to be a championship calibre squad. The “when healthy” portion is key for this match though.

Uruguay is already a team that doesn’t score a lot and relies on their defence. With the talent of Cavani and Suárez up front the strategy works. But if one, or even both are out of the lineup or not at full fitness Uruguay could struggle. Against the French they will face the youngest team left in the tournament with an average age of 26.

France also carry some impressive stats into this match having not lost to a South American nation in the World Cup in their last nine games. They are also undefeated (17-2-0) when Antoine Griezmann scores.

All this being said, France did not overly impress during Group Stage play. We also need to remember those four goals came against one of the oldest teams in the tournament. The Argentines play little defence, were in turmoil all tournament and were mere minutes away from failing to advance out of their group.

At full strength each would have a chance here. France may have too many options if Uruguay are missing some key players though. If that’s the case, Uruguay will no doubt park the bus and could play for penalties, where France will have way more scoring options to choose from.

Uruguay vs France Odds