The video clips and pictures of the England players arriving back at their team hotel are the best thing you will see today.
They are being clapped back in, treated as heroes with the hotel staff waving flags and making it look like a real party after England’s win over Senegal. You can see how much the players are enjoying it as they get a hero’s welcome and their staff look as nice and welcoming as the staff at our apartment block.
What is nice about the England hotel is that it’s at Al Wakrah, it’s on the beach, it’s built into the souk and you really feel as if you are in a different country down there. You can’t say that about all of the sprawling tower blocks in Doha but there can be no doubt that England have thrown themselves into this World Cup and are reaping the benefits of it.
After the win over Senegal, the players walking through the interview areas all had smiles on their faces and that was not just for the starters but also the squad players. There is a togetherness and understanding. A team unity and strong bond which was highlighted by the mutual respect between Jordan Henderson and Jude Bellingham.
One is a 32-year-old who is at his sixth major tournament and is playing a blinder, bringing his energy and experience to the team. The other is a 19-year-old superstar in the making, the world at his feet and yet his first reaction is to pay tribute and demand respect to his elder team mate.
That says it all about the togetherness and blend of youth and experience in this squad.
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Henderson is such an important part of the team - the other players look up to him and respect him. He brings a winning mentality. And when he talks about this group being the strongest he has been a part of, you really believe him.
That spirit is Gareth Southgate’s biggest success because they will need a togetherness when they play France on Saturday. That will be the ultimate test. It could be a harder quarter final than any other game.
France will be favourites but England have shown that they can produce big performances and results. They should have no fear - even with Kylian Mbappe running at them.
Meanwhile, one bizarre thing at this World Cup… the choice of the sponsors’ man of the match. It’s as ridiculous as when you go to a game, the home team lose 5-0 and yet the local garden centre have sponsored the man of the match award… and give it to the keeper who has just let in five.
You’ll know by now that I love Harry Kane. I think he’s a fabulous player for England. What a leader and he’ll go down as a legend. I also think he’s having a terrific World Cup and he scored against Senegal.
He had a terrific game. But he wasn’t man of the match. They always seem to give the Budweiser man of the match to the biggest, most recognisable name. I’m sure Kane would have handed it over to Jude Bellingham. Because he was on a different level to everyone else on the pitch.
