Kyle tips 3 Lions to go all the way thanks to dream draw

JUST imagine what would have happened had England beaten Belgium in Kaliningrad 12 days ago.

The Three Lions would have topped Group G with a 100 per cent record and then probably beaten Japan in the second round. And then what?

Victory over Brazil in the quarterfinals? Perhaps. Maybe not.

And instead of preparing for a date with destiny tomorrow night against Croatia, the reward for toppling Brazil would have been a semi-final against favourites France.

Gareth Southgate was criticised by some for fielding a weakened side against the Belgians.

But, according to Kyle Walker, the way it has worked out has presented England with a glorious opportunity to reach the World Cup Final.

They face Croatia in Moscow with a place in football’s ultimate game up for grabs.

Route

And having avoided the top sides so far, Walker insists they must seize the moment.

He admits a route to the final may never open up again in the way it has, with potential rivals Germany, Brazil and Argentina long gone.

“It’s a great opportunity,” said the defender. “I think we all know that.

“It’s the best opportunity England’s ever had, and probably might ever have, because, no disrespect to Croatia, the other side of the draw was a lot more difficult.”

Walker, 28, insists Croatia will not be underestimated, especially with Luka Modric in their ranks. He added: “They have some fantastic

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players. I’ve played with Luka at Tottenham and for me he is one of the best midfielders in the world.

“But we have to just adapt ourselves to their game plan but also they have to worry about us.

“We’ve played well. I think we’ve showed immense character.

‘‘The goal going in against Colombia and us digging ourselves out and stepping up for the penalties and the five lads taking them, full credit to them.

“So we have shown character, we’ve shown belief and I think that’s what is going to get us over the line.”

Walker is as fulsome in his praise of Southgate as he has been for his Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.

He added: “He’s just a very down-toearth person.

“He’s been in our position. He’s spoken many times about going to a World Cup playing and going to a World Cup and not playing. I think there’s a fine line with that.

“There’s a 23-man squad in there – you can only pick 11 players – and in a tournament like this, you need all 23 because you never know when you’re going to be called upon.

“I think he has got that down to a tee, where everyone feels just as important as everyone else. There is no high rank, no, ‘OK, you can do this but the others can’t do that’.

“Everyone is on a level playing field and that’s vital to what we have achieved this campaign.

“I think through what he’s gone through in his life – the highs, the lows, the ups and downs – he’s tried to bring it into his managerial skills and I think he’s done it first class.

“I don’t think he gets as much credit as he deserves but he’s been fantastic and it’s been an absolute pleasure to work for him here.”