As England prepare to face France in their World Cup quarter-final on Saturday, fans will feel very optimistic that they have a chance of knocking out the reigning champions with the team they have got at their disposal.
However, ten years ago, things were looking very different for the Three Lions.
The pair’s last major tournament meeting came back in June of 2012 at the European Championships, as they drew 1-1 in their opening group game.
Then under Roy Hodgson’s stewardship, it is safe to say the team has changed for the better since that day.
England’s lineup the last time they faced France at a major tournament 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/aeNdqv547b
— ً (@sfcdan_) December 5, 2022
The world was around three years away from being introduced to Harry Kane, so Danny Welbeck led the line, scoring a respectable four goals at the tournament.
Ashley Cole and John Terry had just won Chelsea’s maiden Champions League, while Joe Hart was at the peak of his powers after helping Manchester City to their first ever Premier League title.
READ MORE: (Videos) Brazil STORM into early three-goal lead against South Korea
This was a time when England fans never gave themselves much hope of going far in major tournaments, and despite there still being question marks nowadays about Gareth Southgate’s management, you can’t deny that the country’s transformation changed the way the national team is viewed.