World Cup 2022: Wenger Likens Kane to Benzema Ahead of France England

• Arsene Wenger has drawn comparison between Harry Kane and Karim Benzema
• France and England will battle it out tomorrow in the quarter-final of the World Cup
• Kane will lead England while Benzema is back home after withdrawing due to injury

The Three Lions of England and Les Bleus of France will clash in an epic battle and much talked about match, in the quarter-final of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Former Arsenal boss and French citizen Arsene Wenger, while previewing the match, drew comparison between Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema and England striker Harry Kane.

Kane is leading England and scored his first goal at the tournament against Senegal in the round of 16, but Benzema withdrew from France's squad due to lingering hamstring problems.

The 2022 Ballon d'Or winner left Les Bleus' squad for the 2018 World Cup, having been exiled from the France squad due to role in a scandal, according to AP.

Giroud ready to tower above French giants

Football

Wenger shares Kane, Benzema similarities

FIFA chief of global football development, Wenger spoke to L'equipe as quoted by GFFN, on the similarities between the two strikers.

''Kane is a bit like Benzema, a kind of forward-number 10. The speed at which he analyses, his perception of the game and of space is remarkable.''

Wenger, who was managing Arsenal when Kane broke onto the scene, spoke on how far he has come since then.

"I knew him as a forward who would generate space, who would get in the defender’s face. Nowadays, even if he plays more as a playmaker, Kane is still extremely dangerous because he gets his shots away quickly. And he gets them on target; they don’t go in the stands."

Benzema eligible for medal

World Cup: Vinicius Jr backed to handle pressure due to Neymar's absence

Football

Even though he withdrew due to injury, Sports Brief earlier reported that Benzema will receive a medal if France go all the way and retain their title.

The striker withdrew a day to FIFA's deadline, but Didier Deschamps opted to keep his squad at 25 players instead of replacing the Real Madrid forward.

Deschamps had the option of calling either Monaco's Wissam Ben Yedder or Manchester United's Anthony Martial as a replacement for the Ballon d'Or winner.