England take on France in the World Cup quarter-finals today, some 10 years since they last met in a major tournament.
The Three Lions beat Senegal 3-0 on Sunday night to book their place in the last eight, just hours after France beat Poland 3-1.
The two nations now meet with a spot in the semi-finals up for grabs and a fascinating encounter awaits.
Imagine if, at the end of England’s 0-0 draw with France at Euro 1992, you were told these two teams would only meet twice more in major competitions in the next 30 years.
It feels like England play Croatia and Sweden in every other major tournament so just two games in that time is frankly staggering.
Who played for England in their last major tournament clash with France?
There was a 12-year gap to the Euro 2004 clash and then another eight years until the two sides met for a 1-1 draw at Euro 2012.
The sides met at the Donbass Arena in Ukraine and you will be hard-pressed to find somebody who can remember England’s starting XI that day…
Goalkeeper: Joe Hart
After Robert Green’s calamity at the 2010 World Cup, Hart established himself as England’s number one and had just won the Premier League title with Manchester City.
Hart earned 75 England caps but his last one came in 2017. Now with Celtic, Hart hasn’t been in England contention for some time.
Right back: Glen Johnson
Johnson was an England regular during his Liverpool days, making that right back spot his own following Gary Neville’s retirement. Johnson retired in 2019 with 54 England caps to his name.
Centre back: John Terry
A mainstay of the England side throughout the 2000’s and early 2010’s, Terry lost the England captaincy earlier in 2012 but kept his place as a key part of the Three Lions’ back line. Now a coach, Terry racked up 78 England caps.
Centre back: Joleon Lescott
Lescott actually scored England’s goal on the night, heading home Steven Gerrard’s free kick from close range. Just like Hart, Lescott was coming off the back of a Manchester City title win and this was one of his 26 England caps.
Left back: Ashley Cole
Cole joined Chelsea teammate Terry in the back four on his way to making 107 England appearances. The 41-year-old is now working at Everton as part of Frank Lampard’s coaching team.
Right midfield: James Milner
Another one of the few from this lineup to still be playing, Milner may be going strong in the Premier League but actually retired from England duty back in 2016 – and oh how Liverpool have reaped the rewards with the 36-year-old still proving to be a dependable figure.
Central midfield: Steven Gerrard
Gerrard bagged a superb assist for Lescott’s goal in what would prove to be his penultimate major tournament as an England player. Gerrard has since turned to management, winning a league title with Rangers before a short-lived spell as Aston Villa boss.
Central midfielder: Scott Parker
Another player who become a manager, Parker was turning out for Tottenham Hotspur at the time and was seen as a real workhorse to go alongside Gerrard. Parker ended up managing Fulham before winning promotion with Bournemouth last season.
Left midfield: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Oxlade-Chamberlain was only 18 at the time but was trusted with a role on the left flank by Roy Hodgson. Backed for stardom at Arsenal, Liverpool ace Oxlade-Chamberlain sadly hasn’t lived up to the hype and has been nowhere near this England World Cup squad.
Attacking midfield: Ashley Young
Young may be more of a left back for Aston Villa these days but he was given the nod as a number 10 in this World Cup. Young had been impressing for Manchester United and Hodgson saw enough to deploy him off the striker in Ukraine.
Striker: Danny Welbeck
Wayne Rooney was suspended for England’s group stage games, so Hodgson went with Danny Welbeck up top ahead of Andy Carroll, Theo Walcott and Jermain Defoe. Welbeck had been in decent form for United and always gave his all in the England attack, with 16 goals in 42 caps a pretty decent record. Still going strong with Brighton and Hove Albion at 32, Welbeck hasn’t played for England since 2018.
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