Les Bleus and La Celeste are coming into this World Cup 2018 quarterfinal clash having just slain a dragon. France beat Argentina and Uruguay beat Portugal, ending the World Cup hopes and dreams of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo respectively in the round of 16. The manner in which they did this, however, could not have been more different and suggests that this upcoming duel isn’t going to be even.

France hammered Argentina with four goals, including an absolute worldie from Benjamin Pavard and two from Kylian Mbappe who made it look so easy that it it’s somewhat shocking that the game ended 4-3. This points to plenty of weaknesses in Les Bleus’ game. The largest, and the only one they seem to have been trying to improve, is chemistry. 

With the exception of Belgium, France maybe the team that hates each other the most and the group stage was littered with moments where it seemed like players were trying to prove to their teammates - more so than their manager or even the rivals - they were the best. When he scored against Peru, Mbappe essentially celebrated on his own as the rest of the team returned to the centre for the kick off, against Argentina, he was the bottom of a dog pile. They are only two interpersonal gestures but they shouldn’t be ignored.

Olivier Giroud has yet to make an impact in front of goal, but it isn’t for lack of trying. In fact, it almost seems like he would be dismayed had he scored a goal on the calibre of Antoine Griezmann and Mbappe because he’s so committed to getting something fancy, so it’s likely that he will go home with a goose egg as Uruguay is solid in defence. Solid everywhere, in fact.

Yes, they have a world class hit squad in the form of Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez up front, but unlike the rest of the remaining teams, it’s hard to talk about their strengths in terms of players. Uruguay are first and foremost a team - eerily unique in this tournament - and that gives them an advantage in all positions, even if they aren’t blessed with the prodigious talent of France.

Diego Godin, Maxi Pereira and Martin Caceres keep the defence rock solid and Rodrigo Bentancur and Diego Laxalt provide service forward and block movement back and Cavani and Suarez are Cavani and Suarez - little more needs to be said. What they have lacked in tally they have more than made up for in technique and timing.

Uruguay have yet to put in a performance as flashy as anything France have achieved but the fact they’re also in the quarterfinals shows they don’t have to. They’ve managed to contain everyone they’ve faced and then do exactly enough to win. They will try the same on France, but their singular, individual talents will pose a larger threat than anything faced before; it’s one thing to keep CR7 locked down but another when it’s Mbappe, Pogba, Giroud et al.