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An extremely optimistic England fan has updated a tattoo on his leg to reflect the Three Lions winning the 2022 World Cup, but they must first get past defending champs France in what promises to be a tasty quarter final.
The winner of the match will go on to play the winner of Morocco or Portugal in the semi finals.
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England cruised to a 3-0 win over Senegal to book a spot in the final eight, but Les Bleus will present a much sterner test.
But it hasn’t stopped English fan Dennis Pope from inking himself with a tattoo that could backfire spectacularly.
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As Brits across the nation got swept up with World Cup fever in 2018, Pope got “England World Cup Winners 2018” tattooed on his right calf.
However, Gareth Southgate’s side was knocked out in the semi-finals in extra-time by Croatia, who went on to lose the final to France.
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Yet Pope has no regrets for the original ink.
“It wasn’t meant to be and we lost to Croatia in the semis but I didn’t regret getting the tattoo in the slightest,” Pope told The Sun.
“It’s a reminder of wonderful memories and how close we came. This time though, it feels different.”
So much so that Pope got “2018” crossed off with a red mark and had “2022” inked just below it.
And the Blackpool native is backing the Three Lions to beat France by a 3-1 scoreline.
“We’ve waited for a moment like this,” Pope said.
“This is it. If there was a time, it’s right now.
“Kane to score twice and Rashford to add a third. I would even settle for a Harry Maguire header.
“We can beat anyone.”
TEAM NEWS
Raheem Sterling was back in training for England on Friday after returning to Qatar and “will be involved” in Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final with France.
Sterling did not feature in the last-16 match against Senegal after returning to England following a robbery at his home.
The Chelsea forward flew out to Doha on Thursday and was back on the field at Al Wakrah Sports Club with the other 24 members of England’s squad.
“It’s great that he’s back with us, first and foremost. He wanted to train today,” England manager Gareth Southgate told a pre-match press conference.
“He’ll be involved tomorrow but what that looks like, we have to decide because we haven’t seen him on the training pitch.
“It’s really hard to tell what his level is, as he’s not been with us, in terms of on the pitch, since Saturday.
“We’ll have to assess that but really pleased he’s back and of course he’s an important player for us.”
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