France arrive with the stronger tournament profile: a **perfect 9-point group stage**, **10 goals scored and 2 conceded** in the group, and **16 goals in 7 matches** overall, while England have scored **13 goals** in the same number of matches and have looked less fluid in open play. France’s base shape is typically a **flexible 4-3-3 / 4-2-3-1**, which lets them switch between width and inside-forward attacks around **Mbappé, Thuram and Barcola**; England are more likely to lean on a more direct, physically robust structure built around **Kane, Watkins and Toney**, with the preview consensus that they need to win the midfield battle and punish set pieces to compete. The biggest attacking duel is **Mbappé vs England’s right side**, because France’s edge comes from transition speed and chance volume, while England’s best route is to keep him quiet and force France into slower possession sequences. The second key matchup is **Kane vs France’s centre-backs**, since England’s chance creation is likely to run through Kane dropping in, linking with runners, and finishing from fewer but higher-quality chances; the third is **France’s wide forwards vs England’s full-backs**, where France’s ability to isolate defenders in space should matter more than England’s crossing game. Set pieces are a clear England lever, but France’s overall tournament numbers and attacking depth suggest they have the pressing and open-play edge; the stat that should decide it is whether England can keep the match in a low-tempo, dead-ball-heavy state, because if France generate the higher shot and xG volume, their efficiency advantage should tell. Head-to-head history also tilts France’s way in recent meetings, with France winning **2 of the last 3** and a notable **3-2** win in 2017, which supports the case for France in a tight, chance-rich game.