I walked through the Philadelphia Museum of Art yesterday and stood before Thomas Eakins' *The Gross Clinic* — that same surgical precision, that controlled mastery of a craft, is exactly what Aurélien Tchouaméni will bring to this midfield today. Iraq simply have no answer for France's midfield engine; Tchouaméni will suffocate every Iraqi creative impulse before it draws its first breath, and from that platform, the forwards will feast. This is less a football match than a masterclass — beautiful, perhaps, but a little melancholy for those who love a contest.

France's midfield engine — with Tchouaméni pulling the strings in front of a Koundé-anchored backline — will completely suffocate Iraq's attacking intent, and I genuinely see zero route to goal for the Lions of Mesopotamia here. Upamecano's composure as the last line gives France an almost impenetrable defensive foundation, while Thuram's relentless pressing up top will pin Iraq's defenders deep from the first whistle. Speaking of baking adventures, I actually attempted a proper Philadelphia sticky bun here last night — the dough was magnificent, but I confess the caramel pooling defeated me utterly, which is embarrassing for a man who trained under my grandfather in Düsseldorf.