The very thought of it is sending shivers down the spines of England fans everywhere: a World Cup final showdown against either mighty France or Spain looming large in the event that Argentina are beaten. The Three Lions have been galvanised by their progress, aiming to conquer the top table for the first time since 1966 – a feat that would see them rekindle a fiery rivalry with Argentina not seen on the biggest stage in over two decades.
Before England can even think about facing off against either European powerhouse, they must navigate a critical hurdle: what opponent would they rather face? A difficult question for Gareth Southgate and his team to answer, given their recent history with both France and Spain. Who could forget the devastating defeat at the hands of Spain in the Euro 2024 final, which brought an end to Southgate's tenure as manager? Or the heartbreak at the quarter-finals of the last World Cup, when France proved too strong for England.
UKPulse Media's sports writers are divided on the matter. Lawrence Ostlere is adamant that facing Spain would be akin to stepping into the ring with Floyd Mayweather – a technically proficient opponent who could leave England struggling to land a decisive blow due to their suffocating possession game. Conversely, he believes France would offer more opportunities for England to attack, even if it means enduring some heavy hits.
Kieran Jackson shares Ostlere's sentiment, despite acknowledging the fearsome attacking prowess of Didier Deschamps' team. He reckons that France's expansive style would provide more chances for Tuchel's attacking stars on the break, as opposed to Spain's possession-retention which he notes wore down England in their previous encounter.
But not everyone is convinced that France should be England's preferred opponent. Luke Baker and Alex Pattle both favour Spain, with Baker viewing Les Bleus as the strongest team in the tournament – an attack capable of dismantling any defence. He argues that while Spain are a strong team, their ceiling is lower than France's, making them the more manageable opponent for England.