{"id":153729,"date":"2022-12-10T11:45:35","date_gmt":"2022-12-10T11:45:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/kylian-mbappe-is-reaching-speeds-of-22-miles-per-hour-at-the-world-cup-can-anyone-stop-him\/"},"modified":"2022-12-10T11:45:35","modified_gmt":"2022-12-10T11:45:35","slug":"kylian-mbappe-is-reaching-speeds-of-22-miles-per-hour-at-the-world-cup-can-anyone-stop-him","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/kylian-mbappe-is-reaching-speeds-of-22-miles-per-hour-at-the-world-cup-can-anyone-stop-him\/","title":{"rendered":"Kylian Mbappe is reaching speeds of 22 miles per hour at the World Cup. Can anyone stop him?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n CNN<\/span>
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Ahead of its World Cup quarterfinal against France, England has a problem to solve. Namely, how to stop the tournament’s top scorer, Kylian Mbapp\u00e9, from adding to his tally.\n <\/p>\n

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\u201cNineteen other teams in [France\u2019s] Ligue 1 \u2013 and others in the Champions League \u2013 have been waiting for a solution,\u201d French midfielder Youssouf Fofana told reporters this week when asked how to contain the Paris Saint-Germain star.\n <\/p>\n

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\u201cThe truth will come on the pitch. We have full confidence in Kylian.\u201d\n <\/p>\n

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Mbapp\u00e9 has been on sensational form in Qatar, scoring five goals in four games \u2013 two more than any other player.\n <\/p>\n

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That included a brilliant double against Poland in the round of 16 \u2013 the first a booming strike into the top-left corner, then the second a curling effort into the opposite corner.\n <\/p>\n

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But the 23-year-old has showcased more than just clinical finishing at the World Cup, terrorizing opponents with his phenomenal speed and ability to get behind the defensive line.\n <\/p>\n

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According to FIFA, Mbapp\u00e9 hit a top speed of 35.3 kilometers per hour (about 22 miles per hour) against Poland \u2013 among the fastest speeds recorded at the tournament so far. His teammate, forward Ousmane Demb\u00e9l\u00e9, clocked 35kph (21.7mph) in the same game.\n <\/p>\n

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More crucial to France’s attack, though, is how rapidly the likes of Mbapp\u00e9 and Demb\u00e9l\u00e9 can accelerate.\n <\/p>\n

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\u201cIn a field sport, acceleration is by far the key element,\u201d sports scientist Simon Brundish told CNN Sport. \u201cTop speed is an opportunity \u2026 How often do you get the chance to run at full speed for 30 meters in the first place on a football pitch? It’s not very common.\n <\/p>\n

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\u201cIt’s how you can go from zero to five meters fastest and zero to 10 meters fastest \u2013 that’s the thing that separates you.\u201d\n <\/p>\n

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But England may have an answer to the pace of Mbapp\u00e9. Kyle Walker has long been respected as one of the fastest fullbacks in football, and the Manchester City star is expected to line up opposite the fleet-footed Frenchman on Saturday.\n <\/p>\n

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Indeed, former England striker Gary Lineker<\/a> went as far as to suggest that Walker should have been rested against Senegal in the round of 16, protecting the defender from potentially picking up an injury ahead of facing Mbapp\u00e9.\n <\/p>\n

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\u201cHe [Walker] is very gifted genetically and his speed is one of his biggest assets,\u201d James Baldwin, head of physiotherapy at Manchester City, said in a recent interview with Therabody.\n <\/p>\n

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\u201cTo be able to maintain his speed and still be one of the fastest European players at 32 is phenomenal.\u201d\n <\/p>\n

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One option for England manager Gareth Southgate would be to deploy five defenders against France, with Walker operating as a right-sided center-back. Otherwise, he could stick with the four-at-the-back formation which worked so effectively in the 3-0 win against Senegal.\n <\/p>\n

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\n \"Kyle<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Walker, who recovered from a groin injury to earn a starting position at the World Cup, was England’s fastest player against Senegal, recording a top speed of 34.4kph (21.4mph).\n <\/p>\n

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He has also gone up against Mbapp\u00e9 before \u2013 when Man City defeated PSG in the Champions League semifinals last year.\n <\/p>\n

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\u201cI do understand what I need to do and that’s obviously to stop him,\u201d Walker told reporters this week. \u201cIt’s probably easier said than done, but I don’t underestimate myself.\n <\/p>\n

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\u201cI think he’s one of the best, if not the best in the world at the minute,\u201d Walker added.\n <\/p>\n

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Data provider Nielsen has defending champion France as the marginal favorite against England with a 51% chance of winning.\n <\/p>\n

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It will be an intriguing encounter at the Al Bayt Stadium, pitting two of the World Cup highest-scoring teams against each other.\n <\/p>\n

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Veteran striker Olivier Giroud \u2013 taller and stronger in the air than Mbapp\u00e9 \u2013 has three goals this campaign having failed to score once when France won the World Cup four years ago. Against Poland, he surpassed Thierry Henry as France’s record goalscorer.\n <\/p>\n

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England, meanwhile, has looked irrepressible at times, dismantling Iran, Wales, and Senegal with a series of ruthless attacking performances.\n <\/p>\n

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Borussia Dortmund midifielder Jude Bellingham has been the Three Lions’ standout player and looks destined to move to a bigger club in the near future. His perfectly timed run and pass set up Jordan Henderson’s opening goal against Senegal, while his skillful dribble allowed Harry Kane to get the second.\n <\/p>\n

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\n \"Bellingham<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cHe’s one of the most gifted players I’ve ever seen,\u201d Phil Foden told ITV<\/a> about teammate Bellingham. \u201cI don’t see a weakness in his game, I think he’s got everything. I’m sure he’s going to be the best midfielder in the world.\u201d\n <\/p>\n

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With some of the best players of the tournament going toe-to-toe, this quarterfinal has all the ingredients of a World Cup classic. For the winner, a semifinal against Morocco or Portugal awaits.\n <\/p>\n

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Morocco vs. Portugal \u2013 Al Thumama Stadium, 10am ET\n <\/p>\n

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England vs. France \u2013 Al Bayt Stadium, 2pm ET\n <\/p>\n

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US: Fox Sports\n <\/p>\n

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UK: BBC or ITV\n <\/p>\n

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Australia: SBS\n <\/p>\n

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Brazil: SportTV\n <\/p>\n

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Germany: ARD, ZDF, Deutsche Telekom\n <\/p>\n

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Canada: Bell Media\n <\/p>\n

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South Africa: SABC\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n