World Cup Preview - Group D: Will France successfully defend their crown?
With Groups A, B and C covered, it's time to take a look at Group D, with defending champions France getting their campaign underway against Australia on Tuesday
Australia
How they qualified
Australia went all the way to penalties in the inter-confederation playoff final against Peru, winning 5-4 in sudden death, after failing to automatically qualify from their AFC qualifying group, where they finished third.
One to Watch – Aaron Mooy
Formerly of Huddesfield and Brighton, and current midfielder for Celtic, Aaron Mooy probably offers Australia their best hope in achieving something in this group, with a smart eye for a pass, having accumulated three assists in the Scottish Premiership for Celtic this season, and is defensively sound, averaging 2.6 tackles per 90 in Scotland's top tier.
Young Player to Watch – Garang Kuo
Joining Newcastle in January after the World Cup, Garang Kuol looks like a real gem for the future. He is a fast winger with an ability to find the back of the net. Currently a Central Coast Mariners player, Kuol has shone in the A-League, scoring six goals in 13 appearances, with all of those goals coming in games where he has started on the bench.
Prediction
The strength of France and Denmark in particular will likely see the Socceroos crash out in the group stages.
Denmark
How they qualified
Denmark topped their qualifying group, only losing once, while winning the other nine games, scoring 30 times, and only conceding three.
One to watch – Christian Eriksen
Since returning to the Premier League, first with Brentford and now with Manchester United, Christian Eriksen has still been at the very best of his game, even at the age of 30. For Denmark he remains their most important player, especially when it comes to creating chances, whether that be from open play of set-pieces, with an almost pinpoint crossing ability. For United in the Premier League this season, he has contributed to five goals and has had 19 shots, showing his constant threat to the opposition goal.
Young Player to Watch – Mikkel Damsgaard
Like Eriksen, Mikkel Damsgaard is another who will pose an attacking threat for Denmark. He likes to shoot from distance, as shown at Euro 2020 where he scored twice from outside the box, and is someone who can produce from a variety of positions across the attacking line, though mainly from the wing. As well as this, he has high energy levels, which help the Danish to press opponents.
Prediction
The key game for Denmark will be against the French, but they are almost certain to get out of the group, even if just as runners up.
France
How they qualified
France finished top of their qualifying group after remaining unbeaten throughout the campaign, though they did draw three of those eight games.
One to watch – Kylian Mbappe
Having already won so much, including the World Cup in 2018, where he was awarded as the best young player, it can be hard to forget that Kylian Mbappe is still only 23. His lightening pace and incredible ability on the ball makes it hard for any defender to stop him in his tracks. He is also one of France’s main outlets for goals, with 28 in 59 appearances for his country and so far this season in Ligue 1, he has scored 12 goals in 14 appearances. At the last World Cup, where he was only 19, he scored four goals in seven matches, including one in the final.
Young Player to Watch – Aurelien Tchouameni
Despite being without injured duo N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba for the World Cup, France’s midfield is still full of quality, including 22-year-old Aurelien Tchouameni. He was originally used in his younger years as a playmaker or a forward, but has since dropped deeper and his quick rise at Monaco earned him a move to Real Madrid in the summer. While a real battler in the middle, winning possession for his team from deep, he also has the ability to start off attacks with his passing quality.
Prediction
With their quality of personnel and as the defending champions, it would be expected that they will top this group.
Tunisia
How they qualified
Tunisia topped their qualifying group, before beating Mali 1-0 on aggregate in a two-legged playoff.
One to watch – Whabi Khazri
The Montpellier forward is the main attacking outlet for his national team, having scored three goals in qualifying and two goals at the last World Cup in Tunisia’s three group games, as well as being second in the overall list of his country’s top goalscorers. He is a player who can play across the forward line, including in attacking midfield, owing to his great pace and skill on the ball.
Young Player to Watch – Hannibal Mejbri
Currently on loan at Birmingham from Manchester United, Hannibal Mejbri is a very talented player, who can produce moments of quality and has already made a name for himself in England as an up-and-coming talent and is a player who can operate in a variety of roles in the centre of midfield. The 19-year-old is considered a player who plays with high intensity, but also has a good eye to find the right pass.
Prediction
At the last World Cup, they finished third in their group with one win, though they nearly earne a draw with England, only to be denied by a late Harry Kane goal. They will be a tricky opponent for this group, but they are likely to have to settle for third place again.
Group Stage prediction
1. France
2. Denmark
3. Tunisia
4. Australia
