In the spans of the Al-Bayt stadium, 50 km north of Doha, the English seem to have given themselves the word in the locker room.
The big victory against Senegal (3-0) this Sunday evening should not be an excuse to ignite.
No triumphalism therefore and above all not to say anything about the French team which awaits them next Saturday in Doha.
Declan Rice, the first out, simply explained that “France is a very good team that we will have to face with a lot of concentration and determination.
“Jordan Henderson, the Liverpool midfielder, believes” that we will have to play a good match against the Blues”.
A little earlier, Harry Kane, the captain, named man of the match against Senegal, was especially satisfied to have scored the second English goal.
“It was my day but it's clearly a collective result, notes Hugo Lloris' teammate at Tottenham.
Now we will face the defending champions.
It will be a very tough match and we have a few days to prepare for it.
If we want to be world champions, we have to beat the very best and France is one of them.
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"A huge challenge to test yourself against the best"
Gareth Southgate, the coach, fortunately says a little more.
“France is the biggest challenge we could face,” he notes.
It has a phenomenal group of great players.
It will be very hard to score goals for him.
It's a huge challenge to test yourself against the best.
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Asked by an English journalist about Kylian Mbappé, Southgate broadens the focus.
“He is a world-class player who has delivered some crazy matches.
But it's not just him.
I do not forget Antoine Griezmann who is more than 70 consecutive selections.
And in England, we also know Olivier Giroud very well.
In fact, there is talent in every position.
This makes us even more eager to take up the challenge.
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Only downside of Monday for England.
The surprise departure of Raheem Sterling.
The Chelsea striker hastily returned to England after his family was the victim of a violent burglary.
"All of our thoughts are with him and his issues come before sport," Southgate said.
Inevitably, this story has a sporting impact on the group but we will manage it.
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