France vs Uruguay LIVE World Cup 2018: Antoine Griezmann and Raphael Varane score - reaction as Les Bleus make the semi-finals
Follow all the action in the first quarter-final of the World Cup
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It's the World Cup quarter-finals, this is where it gets really serious. Both Uruguay and France have plenty of history in the latter stages of the competition and will meet in a clash of styles.
France have been reliant on the bright attackers, while Uruguay have been easing their way through the rounds as a result of their brilliant defending.
Uruguay captain Diego Godin has been influential in their success but faces his biggest test after seeing off Cristiano Ronaldo. Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe have been in good form in Russia but will have to be at their best to score past Uruguay.
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When is it?
Uruguay vs France is on Friday 6 June and kicks off at 15:00 at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.
Where can I watch it?
ITV will be showing live coverage on ITV 1 and online on the ITV Hub.
Odds
Uruguay: 7/2
France: 1/1
Draw (90 minutes): 2/1
How did they get here?
France beat Argentina 4-3 in one of the most thrilling World Cup round of 16 matches to earn their place in the quarter-final. Mbappe announced himself on the world stage with a brace and a scintillating run from deep to win a penalty. Les Bleus qualified first in their group after wins against Australia and Peru and a draw with Denmark.
While France are in the last eight courtesy of their wealth of attacking talent, Uruguay have been heavily dependent on their defence and the only goal they conceded in the tournament came in their 2-1 victory against Portugal in the round of 16. Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani have been sharing out the goals at the top of the team.
What is their World Cup history?
Uruguay have twice lifted the famous trophy, including the first ever World Cup in 1930.
Current manager Didier Deschamps captained France to victory in the 1998 World Cup final which remains their only ever win.
Prediction
France 2-1 Uruguay. It what has the potential to be the dullest game of the tournament so far, but also the most exciting, France will likely grind it out in the same way they did in the groups.
And then there were eight! After a two-day pause for breath, the 2018 World Cup is back in action with four intriguing quarter-finals on he horizon. Tomorrow it's the turn of hosts Russia, Croatia, Sweden and, of course, England, but first it's time for four others to take centre stage. Coming up, we'll have it all from Brazil against Belgium, but we start in Nizhny Novgorod.
Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of Uruguay versus France from the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.
We'll have all the build-up ahead of kick-off in Russia including the all-important teams news as soon as it hits the press.
Both Uruguay and France made it to the quarter-finals after thrilling victories in their Last 16 encounters. Here's a recap of how each prevailed, starting with Kylian Mbappe starring role against Argentina.
As for Uruguay, for Mbappe, read Edinson Cavani. The Paris Saint-Germain striker put a difficult group stage behind him to down Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo et al, with a wonderful brace in Sochi.
The French are flying after sticking four past Argentina in Kazan, but he's a stark reminder that that they don't always have it their own way against Uruguay - and now they have to face a defence marshalled by Diego Godin.
And, on the subject of Godin, here's our Chief Football Writer Miguel Delaney on the man that epitomises Uruguay's uncompromising backline.
This afternoon's quarter-final takes place at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium. Home to Olimpiyets, this new arena holds just under 45,000 spectators and has a translucent facade that lights up at night.
Of course, that's not the only time that the stadium has been lit up during this World Cup. It was the setting for Croatia's dismantling of Argentina and also played host to Harry Kane's hat-trick against Panama.
Have you cleared 90 minutes in your schedule this afternoon?
Yeah, well, you might want to alter that to two hours plus penalties...
As feared, Edinson Cavani is not fit enough to start for Uruguay against the French this afternoon. The Paris Saint-Germain striker scored twice against Portugal at the weekend, but hobbled off towards the end of that match after suffering a calf injury.
The forward is named amongst the substitutes but whether he will be able play any part in proceedings remains to be seen.
Here's a closer look at how the two teams line-up with both countries forced into making one change from the sides that won their Last 16 contests
As noted, Edinson Cavani has not recovered from the calf problem he suffered against Portugal and is replaced in the Uruguay front line by former Middlesbrough man Cristhian Stuani.
Didier Deschamps, meanwhile, brings in Bayern Munich's Corentin Tolisso into the French midfield to take over from Blaise Matuidi, who is suspended after picking up his second yellow card off the tournament against Argentina.
Uruguay: Muslera, Gimenez, Godin, Caceres, Bentancur, Nandez, Torreira, Vecino, Laxalt, Suarez, Stuani
France: Lloris, Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Hernandez, Pogba, Kante, Mbappe, Griezmann, Tolisso, Giroud
Referee: Nestor Pitana (Argentina)
Corentin Tolisso earns his 11th cap for France this afternoon.
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