Former England star David James believes the Three Lions have already been put to far greater tests than France and Spain in their bid to finally win the World Cup again.
Thomas Tuchel’s side have booked their place in the quarter-finals where Erling Haaland and Norway await on Saturday night.
England’s side of the draw could lead them into the path of defending champions Argentina – who face Switzerland in their last eight match – with competition favourites France and Spain on the other side of the bracket.
Les Bleus are in formidable form with their dazzling array of attacking talent spearheaded by Kylian Mbappe lighting up the competition. Euro 2024 champions Spain meanwhile have not conceded a goal in their six matches to date with Mikel Merino’s dramatic late winner this week sending Portugal home.
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England have had to overcome obstacles on their journey. After topping their group, they trailed to DR Congo in their last 32 match before Harry Kane’s thrilling double sent them through.
With Mexico on home turf at the Azteca, Jude Bellingham silenced the crowd with his quick-fire double – the first goals Mexico had conceded in the tournament. England were reduced to 10 men in the second-half when Jarell Quansah was sent off, putting in a resolute rearguard display to hold onto a huge win.
Former goalkeeper James, who is writing exclusively for Metro throughout the World Cup, believes England have ‘passed every test’ put in front of them, responding to the sort of adversity France and Spain are still to experience.
While Spain have been flawless at the back so far, he questions how they will respond to going a goal behind – something Mexico didn’t recover from despite their record leading into the game.
And while France remain heavy favourites, James believes England have demonstrated better than anyone else how to hold their nerve.
‘Spain looked like a superior team not being challenged against Portugal. They are fresher going into the quarter-finals because they haven’t really been tested yet,’ James told Metro ahead of his latest column previewing England vs Norway on Saturday night.
‘You can say the same about France. England on the other hand have experienced lots of different things in this competition that France or Spain haven’t experienced yet. It is something I said before the Mexico game – let’s see what happens when they concede a goal. We saw what happened when they conceded, 98 seconds later they conceded again. That was the reaction that England created.
‘I think Spain may be in the same position. It is six games without conceding a goal, what happens when you do concede a goal? At the moment, there is a sense of invincibility with them.
‘With France, they have very quick players and that gives them confidence. But what we saw with England was so much resolve, we had a key goal scorer in Jude Bellingham clearing balls off the line. All these things England have experienced, I would argue France haven’t. Spain haven’t. Even after conceding, England haven’t looked desperate. They have always had belief.
‘England have experienced everything except for maybe a comfortable game. In this stage of the competition, you know what you are going to get from someone in a particular situation. They will be under pressure against Norway but they will look around at each other and believe in each other. It gives me more confidence than ever. Every test has been different and England have responded in the way you would want them to.’
David James is writing for Metro ahead of England’s World Cup match against Norway, brought to you by Hello Tickets where you can buy Arsenal FC tickets online.