England marched into the last eight with a win over Senegal (Picture: Getty)
Roy Keane insists England will have nothing to fear when they take on France in the World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday.
The Three Lions booked their place in the last eight of the competition with a comfortable 3-0 win over Senegal on Sunday with Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka all on target.
Defending champions France await after their comprehensive 3-1 victory over Poland with Kylian Mbappe continuing his thrilling campaign with two second-half goals.
But after making the Senegal win an ‘easy game’, former Manchester United captain Keane believes England’s young stars will rise to the occasion and take it to Les Blues.
‘This ended up being an easy game, but their performance made it an easy game.’ Keane told ITV.
‘The second half, [was just] walking pace. The first half, the damage was done – the second goal just on half time.
‘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.’
Mbappe and France await on Saturday (Picture: Getty)
England have not lost in Qatar with their only blemish a goalless draw with USA in the group stages of the competition.
‘We spoke about these players before the game, and what they’re doing is producing,’ Keane continued. ‘It’s about what you do today, in these games. France coming up in the next few days, but that’s why the players deserve credit.
‘They’re producing week in, week out and that’s why they’re top players. Still young, you know their best days are still ahead, they’re fantastic and they’re producing.’
Keane also lavished praise on Bellingham’s whose stock continues to rise after another sensational performance.
‘When it’s a bit tight you need a midfielder to run and produce a bit of magic, and that’s what Bellingham did there. Brilliant,’ Keane said.
‘This is what you want from a midfielder, powerful, strong, anticipation, a little bit of luck but it’s game over,’ he said of Bellingham’s run to set up England’s second goal.
‘He’s going to be a superstar that kid. We keep using the word but maturity, he plays like he’s played 100 times for England.’
MORE : Jude Bellingham justifies the hype with best performance yet in England’s win over Senegal
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England breezed past Senegal on Sunday night.