/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/54979833/GettyImages-658675254.0.jpg)
If New Zealand can find its way to a win in this game, it will win Group E. But that would be the upset of the 2017 Men's U-20 World Cup to date. France is the heavy favorite to take all three points from this match. Even a draw would be a surprise.
But a tie would suit both teams, so don't be too shocked if this game finishes in similar fashion to Italy and Japan's Group D finale. If the scores are level late in the match, it would suit both France and New Zealand to take it easy and look ahead to the round of 16.
It probably suits France to take it easy anyway, since it is already qualified for the knockout rounds and will win the group unless it manages to lose to New Zealand. So a few rested starters and a cautious start would be no great surprise from France.
New Zealand will like its chances of making the round of 16. It is currently second in Group D and it will stay there unless it loses to France and Vietnam beats Honduras and those results combine to overturn the All Whites' current goal difference advantage over Vietnam.
And even if all those things happen and New Zealand falls to third place in Group D, it already has more points than Argentina, so it need only finish with a better record than one other third-place team in the group stage to make it to the knockout rounds.
There will be some nerves in the New Zealand camp if France starts racking up goals and Vietnam is ahead against Honduras, but the All Whites don't need to be too anxious unless their goal difference falls below 0. Limit any loss to France to two goals, and New Zealand is through to the next round regardless of other results.
Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points |
1 | France | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | +7 | 6 |
2 | New Zealand | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 4 |
3 | Vietnam | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -4 | 1 |
4 | Honduras | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 | -5 | 0 |
Per livesoccertv.com, here's where to find the game if watching from the USA:
France vs New Zealand - 2017 U-20 World Cup, Group E