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The FIFA World Cup 2022 has concluded its Round of 16 stage as eight top teams will battle in the quarterfinals and defending champions France are scheduled to square off against England on Saturday night. Ahead of their quarterfinal fixture, England right back Kyle Walker has offered a warning for Kylian Mbappe and France.
In the semifinals, the winner between England and France will face the winner of the quarterfinal match between Portugal and Morocco as Kyle Walker said " it's a do or die" game. Meanwhile, the 23-year-old Mbappe leads the golden boot race with five goals followed by nine players, who have scored three goals.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Kyle Walker was asked many times about facing Kylian Mbappe rather than talking about the whole French team. Walker said, No, I think the game is not England v Mbappe, the game is England vs France. We respect that he's a good player and in a good form at the minute, but I'm not going to roll out a red carpet for him anytime and tell him to go and score.
"I'm representing my country at the quarter-final in a World Cup, it's do or die really. If we lose, we go home. He's not going to stand in my way of winning a World Cup for my country. So OK, he (Mbappe) is a great player, we know that - that is why all of the questions are about him."
Further, the 32-year-old defender praised the all-time top goal scorer for France, Olivier Giroud, winger Ousmane Dembele and star forward Antoine Griezmann. He said, "But let's not forget about Olivier Giroud, who has scored countless goals for France and in the Premier League. Ousmane Dembele, who for me is just as good on the other wing and a very tricky player. And then you have Antoine Griezmann - these players can cause you a problem."
At the end, Walker talked about his self-efficacy and warned France ahead of their quarterfinal fixture. He asserted, " I don't underestimate myself. I have to treat it as another game. I have to take extra care and give him the respect he deserves, but not too much respect because he is also playing England and we can cause him problems. It is going to be a tough game, but not one player makes a team."