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.

He said on ITV: “These young players, will they be fearful of France? Absolutely not. Go and take them on, show some courage, bravery.

“That’s what they’ve been doing the last few years and all credit to them.”

Ex-England forward Michael Owen, meanwhile, posted on Twitter: “Another efficient performance from our boys. Loved the performances of Jude Bellingham and Jordan Henderson. Bring on Kylian Mbappe and Co.”

Fuelled by Paris Saint-Germain striker 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... a world-class player. He has already delivered big moments in this tournament and in previous tournaments,” Southgate said.

“(Antoine) Griezmann is also a phenomenal player, we know (Olivier) Giroud so well and they have outstanding midfield players as well. It is a huge test but one we are really looking forward to.”

Former England defender Gary Neville believes right-back Kyle Walker is key to curbing Mbappe, who usually plays on the left of France’s attack.

He told ITV: “I can’t actually think of another right-back in the world that I’d want to put up against him.

“That doesn’t mean that Kyle will mark him out of the game. This is a sensational player, the new best player in the world. Devastating.

“Kyle will get closer to him – he’s got more pace than the Polish players had.”

Kane agreed with Southgate’s glowing assessment of France, saying: “Saturday will be a really tough evening... (but) 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, equalling the feat achieved at the 2018 edition.

Legendary former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said of his compatriots: “‘The teams with the best benches have best chance of winning, France is one of them.

“They were young when they won the World Cup and can defend it. France went through tough times last year and came here with an appetite for winning. France will be dangerous right until the very end.”

On England, Fifa’s chief of global football development said: “Gareth Southgate is a very intelligent man, capable to analyse well the games and performances.

“He’s like the team, has learnt from the World Cup and learnt from European Championship and is in a good situation to deliver.”

The key to England’s victory against Senegal was Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham. He 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 and proved the catalyst for all of England’s best moments as they turned the tide following Senegal’s bright start.

Saluting Bellingham’s development just two years after he was playing in the English second tier with Birmingham, Southgate said: “The biggest thing is the mentality. We’ve done a lot of work with young players over the years but the thing that makes the difference, is the mindset, the drive, the desire to learn. He has all of that.”

“I don’t think we could predict how quickly he would mature. That’s gone to another level in the last three months.

“We’ve wanted to invest in young players on the basis they could be something special. You suffer a bit with that at first because they are not going to be perfect when they come in. Further down the line you get these types of performances.”

Watching Tottenham striker Kane score his first goal of the tournament was another boost for Southgate.

“You could see the lift that gave Harry. His link play started to come together again,” he said. “For any striker, when you haven’t scored, it’s in the back of your mind and when you get that goal, it is a great lift of confidence. That will do him the world of good.”

AFP, REUTERS