From our Special Envoy in Doha,

Great teams are strong.

Not only by talent, which alone will never be enough in a competition like the World Cup, but also by this halo of invincibility which seems to surround it.

Mario Kart star style or parliamentary immunity.

This irrational thing that made us say that England would beat Senegal while Gareth Southgate's men were cornered by those of Aliou Cissé in the middle of the first period.

Perhaps also because in a more rational way, Boulaye Dia and Ismaïla Sarr missed huge opportunities to open the scoring and the fruit of the harvest was going to end up falling on them.

It didn't miss.

The warning shot was so brutal that the Senegalese never really recovered.

Two goals at the end of the first period signed Jordan Henderson and Harry Kane, who opened his counter at the worst time - or at the best, depending on whether you were French or English.

Ten minutes, no more, and two murderous actions to fold the mess.

When they returned from the locker room, the Teranga Lions had no more legs, no more fighting spirit.

They knew they were beaten by stronger.


Declan Rice thinks England are undervalued

It fits well with Declan Rice's idea of ​​the Three Lions.

The West Ham midfielder doesn't just want victory, he wants the way, the respect and the awe inspired by great success.

In other words, getting into the opponent's head before kick-off.

"Other nations may start to fear us now," he said.

The first on the list being of course the French team, reigning world champion and part at 200 an hour on the highway of the double.

The most natural favorite in this competition.

A status that Rice dreams of for his England, which he considers undervalued. 

“When teams like Argentina or the Netherlands win their match easily, we call it a masterclass, while we are underestimated.

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You had to make up for all the years you were overpriced, Declan.

Beating the France team would be a good start to begin to erase the frustrations of the Hammers midfield.

But Harry Kane is not fooled.

Admittedly, his team hasn't conceded since the match against Iran, certainly they plant at least three goals per match (except against the USA), but that's not reason enough to boast.

Because the striking power of the Blues is without common measure with what the Three Lions have been able to face so far.

Respect

“It will be very hard against France, warns the Spurs striker.

It's a great team, the defending champion, we know we will have a complicated evening.

“” It's really a very good team, with great players, but so are we, believes Eric Dier.

Mbappé is a great player, but defending is defending as a team, that's the most important thing.

Note for midfielders and defenders: coming to give Kyle Walker a hand against Bondy's Bugatti will not be seen too much as the English side was able to get dirty by Sarr on Sunday evening.

“France will be our biggest test, analyzed Southgate after the victory.

They are world champions, have incredible talent, excellent players.

It's very hard to play and score against them.

It will be a big challenge and an awesome match to play, with a terrific historic rivalry that has yielded some great matches.

The English are wary of their adversary.

But the fear goes no further.

Eric Dier: “These are two very strong teams, I don't think anyone is afraid of the other, there will be a lot of respect.

That should please Declan Rice.


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