‘My lucky socks are so pants’

CROATIA Subasic, Corluka, Lovren, Vida, Strinic, Rakitic, Modric, Peresic, Rebic, Kramaric, Mandzukic REFEREE Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey)

the success of the younger England teams but these are much higher stakes. Yet the belief is building.

“The more of these tests we can come through the better. Not just for now but moving forward too.”

Southgate and his players have provided a breath of fresh air for English football here in Russia. They have reconnected with the fans, a bond lost after the horror of the World Cup four years ago and the humiliation against Iceland in Euro 2016.

This England team has put a smile on the faces of its followers. This England team has captured the imagination. This England team has got fans swarming to Russia , with 10,000 expected in Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium this evening.

But Southgate remains calm, his message delivered with a smile. “Our country has had a long period of suffering ffering in terms of football but we’re proud of the support we’re receiving,” he said. “The he fans have renewed enthusiasm for the players, layers, not only because of the way they’ve ey’ve played but also because of how ow they’ve conducted themselves.

“Our country has been n through some difficult moments ts recently in terms of its unity, but ut sport can unite. Football can an unite.” But the England gaffer fer knows the size of the task that hat awaits his side in Moscow. . “Croatia, for a country with a small population, has produced some incredible footballers,” he said . “We know the quality of f their players.

“It’s a huge test. But at this stage we wouldn’t expect it to be any different.”

Raheem Sterling takes his turn to throw the rubber chicken

GARETH SOUTHGATE insists he will not have any superstitions for the World Cup semi-final – after his lucky socks let him down. The England boss said: “When I was managing at Middlesbrough we had a game at Reading and I was under pressure. “When I...

PUTTING HIS FOOT IN IT Boss Gareth Southgate