France reborn

After sneaking out of Asia two years ago with their tails between their legs having failed to score a goal - despite going into the competition as holders and favourites - France have been totally reborn under Roger Lemerre's post-tournament successor, Jacques Santini.

Before the England game, despite being beaten only once in 23 games under their new boss - including winning every game on the road to Portugal - there were still doubts over whether France could cut it when it came to the big tournament crunch.

Their qualifying group - with Slovenia the strongest side in it - was weak and the side cracked when the Czech Republic came to Paris - a 2-0 defeat and a dismal display in a meaningless friendly sparking stinging criticism from the French media.

But with their win in Lisbon - over top quality opposition - the demons of Korea have been exorcised.

Admittedly, France were far from convincing against Sven-Göran Eriksson's men, but having got over the psychological hurdle of the feared first game, they can now go on to defend their title.

Surprisingly, the Henry-Trezeguet duo were well-handled by England's makeshift central defensive partnership of King and Campbell, but they are simply too dangerous to be kept quiet for the whole tournament and will have a field day against less inspired opposition.

And obviously, in their Estadio da Luz saviour Zinedine Zidane - injured in 2002 and only limping through the final group game - France have the world's best player who, as England can testify to their chagrin, is in the sort of irresistible form which wins games single-handedly.

Santini conceded his team had struggled to break down a hard-working - and talented - England side, but can console himself that, having seen Croatia fail to overcome ten-man Switzerland in a soulless, goalless draw earlier in the day, Sunday's game was undoubtedly the hardest his side will have to face in Group B.

And having got into the quarter-finals, les Bleus will have built up such confidence and momentum that they are unlikely to be stopped.