England hotshot Marcus Rashford has told how nothing beats the feeling of scoring for his country and how he believes this team can go ‘all the way’ to win the World Cup.
The Man Utd striker has already bagged three goals at the tournament. And he described the unbeatable feeling of the ball hitting the back of the net from his stunning 25-yard free kick in our 3-0 group stage victory over Wales.
“We are not ready to go home,” he said. "I have been on the bench for a few games, but it is so exciting to watch this team.”
England warmed up for the showdown with France on Saturday night with double boost. Raheem Sterling, who turned 28 on Thursday is returning to Qatar after he returned home due to a burglary on his Surrey home.
And there was an impromptu visit to the England HQ from Robbie Williams. The singer called into see the players before his gig at Doha Golf Club. He sang duets with at least two of the squad as they relaxed in the Souq al Wakra team hotel near Doha.
Midfielder Kalvin Phillips, 27, said: “He was by the pool, he sang us a few songs, it was a really good night. He is unbelievably talented, so knowing how big he is and how well he is doing, it was an honour to meet him. He did sing a couple of duets with the players - but I am not going to name names.”
Robbie told his fans in an Instagram post: “I am at the England camp with the lads. How lucky am I?” Rashford and his Man Utd team-mate Harry Maguire, 29, both posed with the star. And the young striker told how he goes into major tournaments expecting the new generation of stars to win titles.
He told the FA ‘Lion’s Den’ channel: “I feel like we have the manager, and the players are at an age where we have this great opportunity to win trophies. I definitely believe we can win this, it is about winning with this squad.
“In the last three tournaments, I have felt that if we can just play our football we can go and win.” On scoring goals in front of the England faithful, he added: “When it hits the back of the net for forwards it is a special feeling, and nothing comes close to that.
“It is like time pauses for a second and you hear the fans roaring, and there is just this adrenalin rush for me. I cannot compare anything to hitting the back of the net.....it is a unique feeling.”
He told how Gareth Southgate had built up a special relationship with the England fans from the moment he became manager.
“He just wanted us to grow a connection with the fans,” he said. “It has grown stronger as time has gone on. In my first camp in 2016, it was a completely different atmosphere. It was not that people wanted us to lose but they did not mind us losing.
“Now I feel like we have the support of the nation, we are fighting to win games as one and that feels great as a player. That is the way it should be, it feels good when you are out there.
They are tough games, it is hot, and the fans keep you going, keep you going forward, and our defenders blocking shots and saving goals. The fans are really important and it is great to have your support.”
The Football Supporters Association believe England’s 3,000 following from home will again be boosted by expats. Qatari authorities have relaxed entry requirements so that is easier for supporters to fly in from neighbouring countries like Abu Dhabi, Oman and Dubai.
