Roy Keane claimed Jude Bellingham has the maturity of a midfielder in his mid-twenties after watching the teenager help England beat Senegal to reach the World Cup quarter-finals.
Teenage star Bellingham had a part to play in England's first two goals. He provided the cross for Jordan Henderson to open the scoring, before starting the swift counter-attack which allowed Harry Kane to double the lead on the stroke of half-time.
England were never in danger after that, with Bukayo Saka adding a third to set up a last-eight meeting with reigning world champions France. Bellingham will be confident of another start against Les Bleus, and former Manchester United captain Keane was full of praise for the 19-year-old.
"I’ve not seen a young midfielder play like that for years, normally you see one 26, 27," Keane said on ITV. "Everything in the game, we talk about what goes on in his brain, he’s like a man, that maturity, what’s going on upstairs is huge for a midfielder, decision-making, final pass. The kid has everything."
" The midfield, you know, is a solid three and that’s what you need," the Irishman had said a little earlier. "The attacking players are there to win football matches and I’ve never had any doubt with Jordan [Henderson].
"He can produce, he’s been a rock solid player and running onto it here, it’s not an easy finish, weaker foot, Jordan’s an excellent player, just as important and a character - which is obviously what Gareth likes. Put it this way, [Jurgen] Klopp’s played him for a long time and if he wasn’t sure of him, he wouldn’t be playing him."
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Senegal had the best of the early chances at Al Bayt Stadium, with Boulaye Dia forcing a big save from Jordan Pickford. Once England got in front, though, there was no looking back.
The next round looks like providing a tougher test, with France boasting the tournament's leading scorer and one of the most dangerous attacks of any side still involved at the World Cup. Kylian Mbappe has scored five of Les Bleus' nine goals so far, including a double against Poland after Olivier Giroud broke the deadlock to become the all-time record scorer for his international team.
France have won three of their four matches in the tournament, with the only exception coming when manager Deschamps made nine changes for the final group game against Tunisia. Their last competitive meeting with England came at Euro 2012 when the spoils were shared after a 1-1 group stage draw.
Whoever wins on Sunday night could find themselves up against 2010 World Cup winners Spain or Euro 2016 champions Portugal in the semi-finals. Spain face Morocco in their last-16 tie, with Fernando Santos' Portuguese side facing off against Switzerland.
