AL KHOR, Qatar Gareth Southgate admits England will face the biggest test” of their World Cup ambitions when they face holders France in a blockbuster quarter-final on Saturday.
His men recovered from a nervous start before powering to a 3-0 win over Senegal in Sunday’s last-16 clash at the Al Bayt Stadium.
The Three Lions will return to the Al Khor desert at the weekend for a titanic showdown with a France side looking to become the first team to win successive World Cups since Brazil in 1958 and 1962.
While England looked impressive once Jordan Henderson put them ahead against Senegal, with Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka also netting against the African champions, Southgate knows Didier Deschamps’ team are a significant step-up in class.
“It is the biggest test we could face. They are world champions, with an incredible depth of talent and outstanding players. They are very hard to play against and score goals against,” Southgate said.
“It’s a fantastic challenge. It’s a historic rivalry with great games from the past.”
Former Ireland and Manchester United captain Roy Keane believes England should not fear Les Bleus.
This story is from the December 06, 2022 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 06, 2022 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
SIXERS KEEP HOPES ALIVE
Maxey hits 46pts against Knicks, says they didn’t give up as season on the line
QUEIROZ'S SIX GRAND FOR THREE ACE RIDES
Jockey trades one-day ban for 6k fine and May I8 ticket to ride, but not in Kranji Mile
For SMEs, going green Is critical but they face multiple challenges
DBS and SBF want to change mindsets and guide firms’ sustainability journeys
Yen intervention shows Asia is losing patience with the mighty US dollar
Indonesia and Taiwan also recently took steps to shore up their currencies
Are tax cuts and government spending fuelling US inflation?
Debate could impact how Fed sets policy in months ahead, and shape decisions by the next president
Wish comes true for author who wanted to meet family of S'porean WWII hero
Daredevil pilot with British air force was inspiration behind a character in her book
There's a place for 'magic' too in this clean and efficient city
Creating and sustaining a sense of spontaneity, magic among urban issues explored in a new book
Limited training options for people with disabilities
Groups say more can be done to make course materials accessible, remove physical barriers
Trump open to detention camps for illegal migrants
WASHINGTON - Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump does not rule out building detention camps on US soil for migrants who are in the country illegally if he wins a second White House term, he told Time magazine in an interview published on April 30.
EU probes Meta platforms amid disinformation fears
Concerns that Facebook, Instagram failing to counter fake news ahead of bloc’s polls
