England braced for ‘biggest test’: Southgate

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.

Southgate’s side recovered from a nervous start before powering to a 3-0 win against Senegal in Sunday’s last 16 clash at the Al Bayt Stadium. England 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. It’s a brilliant game for us to be involved in and test ourselves against the very best.” Fuelled by Paris Saint Germain striker Kylian Mbappe, France beat Poland 3-1 in the last 16, just hours before England joined them in the quarter-finals.

Mbappe struck twice against the Poles and already has five goals in this year’s tournament. “Mbappe is of course a world class player. He has already delivered big moments in this tournament and in previous tournaments,” Southgate said.

“Griezmann is also a phenomenal player, we know Giroud so well and they have outstanding midfield players as well. It is a huge test but one we are really looking forward to.” England captain Harry Kane agreed with Southgate’s glowing assessment of France, saying: “Saturday will be a really tough evening. France are a great team. They are the reigning champions.

“If you want to win the World Cup you have to play the best sides in the world and France are definitely one of them.” Although England have good reason to fear France, Southgate can counter by pointing out his team are rounding into form as they enter the business end of the tournament.

England have already scored 12 goals in four matches at this year’s World Cup, the country’s joint-most at a single major tournament. The key to England’s victory against Senegal was Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham.

Bellingham became the first teenager to register an assist in a World Cup knockout match since 1966 when he laid on Henderson’s opener. The 19-year-old was also involved in Kane’s goal. Saluting Bellingham’s development just two years after he was playing in the English second tier with Birmingham, Southgate said: “I think the biggest thing is the mentality. “I don’t think we could predict how quickly he would mature.”