England are now going through the throes of gearing up for a blockbuster World Cup quarter-final encounter against World Cup holders France on Saturday night after a convincing, comfortable 3-0 victory over Senegal in the last 16.<\/p>\n
Jordan Henderson, skipper Harry Kane and Arsenal\u2019s Bukayo Saka\u00a0were spot on target as Gareth Southgate\u2019s men brushed aside without much ado a team that won the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year. Needless to say the task was one made much easier without the presence of Senegal\u2019s talisman Sadio Mane.<\/p>\n
Captain Kane \u2013 now bolstered with his first goal in Qatar \u2013 is understandably on a wave of optimism, insisting England would be ready for the challenge of a French side who cruised past Poland 3-1 in their own last-16 match yesterday.<\/p>\n
“We enjoy this one but then of course our focus then turns straight to that,” he said.<\/p>\n
“It\u2019s going to be a really tough game, they\u2019re the reigning champions but it will be a good battle. We\u2019ll recover nicely now and get ready for the game.”<\/p>\n
England\u2019s skipper hailed the maturity his team showed after their initial struggles to impose themselves on a game where Senegal provided most of the threat for the first 30 minutes until Henderson\u2019s breakthrough goal seven minutes before the interval.<\/p>\n
\u201cCredit to the boys, our mentality was top from the beginning and we took our chances when they came,\u2019 he told ITV.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got a great blend of youth and experience and another knockout win. Over the years it\u2019s not been easy for England, so to win 3-0 was just a really great night.\u201d<\/p>\n
Phil Foden, provider of assists for two of the goals, heaped praise on the contribution of 19-year-old Jude Bellingham who was an indubitable driving force as England scored twice late in the first half.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want to big him up too much because he\u2019s still young but he\u2019s one of the most gifted players I\u2019ve ever seen,\u2019 he said. \u2018I don\u2019t see any weaknesses in his game and he\u2019s going to be the best midfielder in the world, for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n
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