‘England can beat ANY team’ – Mauricio Pochettino backs Three Lions to tame Messi and Mbappe en route to World Cup glory
MAURICIO POCHETTINO reckons England can beat ANYONE at the World Cup.
The Three Lions booked their place in the knockout stages with a 3-0 victory over Wales.
After a disappointing first 45, Marcus Rashford struck twice either side of Phil Foden's first World Cup goal to secure their passage as group winners.
Gareth Southgate's side will now face Senegal in the last-16 on Sunday in a game they'll be expected to win.
But if England do progress, they're on course to play 2018 winners France or Argentina.
They've only beaten the world champions once in the last 25 years, while they've lost their last two World Cup meetings with the South Americans.
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The pair also posses some of the top attacking talents in world football, including Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi.
Regardless, Pochettino insists England should fear nobody.
Asked whether their backline could cope against those type of world class players, the ex-Tottenham manager said: " Yes, of course.
"Yesterday I saw a very good performance from the defensive line and the whole team, I think they played really well.
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"I think they beat Wales in a very difficult game, so of course they can cope.
"All the players involved in the national team are playing for big clubs, fighting for the Champions League and Premier League.
"So I'm confident England can beat any team."