BIGGER THAN 1966!

World Cup win would eclipse our finest hour, says Southgate

GARETH SouTHGATE believes lifting the World Cup in Moscow on Sunday would be an even bigger moment than the great 1966 triumph.

England are on the brink of reaching a major final for the first time since that historic day at Wembley 52 years ago, when Alf Ramsey’s side defeated West Germany 4-2 to become world champions.

Saturday’s euphoric 2-0 win over Sweden in Samara moved Southgate’s side to within 90 minutes of another showpiece final.

And the manager said: ‘We’ve touched on the team which won in 1966. I’ve met quite a few of those players and we know exactly how they’re

revered and perhaps in the modern era it would be even crazier, because with social media and everything else, the global thing is so much bigger.’ Southgate’s sentiments were echoed by captain Harry Kane, who says England’s 1966 side are a source of motivation. ‘It’s amazing to meet any heroes from 1966 and it gives you so much inspiration,’ said the Tottenham striker, whose six goals mean he is the tournament’s top scorer with four games left. Now Kane is determined to be remembered as the skipper who led his country to conquer the world for a second time. ‘We are one step closer to the biggest game in football,’ said Kane, whose side face Croatia in the semi-finals on Wednesday. ‘It’s been amazing to be a part of this World Cup, but I get the feeling from the boys that we don’t want to go home. We are not finished yet. We want to go all the way.’ Tottenham forward Dele Alli revealed images of emotional celebrations back home are driving on the squad. ‘It gives me the shivers when I think about it,’ he said. ‘We owe them a lot of thanks for the way they have supported us. We have seen the reactions and it’s been unbelievable, so hopefully we’ll give them more great moments.’ Croatia lie in wait at the Luzhniki Stadium and their manager Zlatko Dalic vowed last night to send England on their holidays by knocking them out. He said: ‘This is already a big achievement for us because some big teams are on their vacation. If we were to send England on holiday, too, it would be great because they have one of the best leagues in the world, if not the best. ‘If we had England’s money, who knows where we would be?’