England face France this evening in a massive World Cup quarter-final, with both sides knowing that a win will give them an excellent chance to go all the way in the tournament.
France have been seen as slight favourites for the game, although it is sure to be a very competitive match.
The two nations have a long standing rivalry, both on and off the pitch. They have met on a few occasions in major tournaments down through the years, while the historic links between the countries also adds a bit of extra edge.
Their most recent tournament clash came at Euro 2012, a 1-1 draw. England did win their last World Cup meeting back in 1982.
Considering all of that and the what is at stake in this fixture, both sets of supporters will be desperate to win. Still, it will probably not surprise you to learn that some on the English side have taken things a bit too far.
British newspaper criticised for World Cup ad in Paris
The Sun have never been ones for subtlety, with their latest advert a prime example.
Ahead of the World Cup meeting between England and France this evening, they have placed an ad near major landmarks in Paris to warn the French that they are about to be knocked out.
It features hilarious puns such as 'it's Gaul over' and some badly translated French phrases.
The Sun newspaper has bought a billboard in Paris to taunt France fans ahead of tomorrow’s game vs England. Classless as ever. pic.twitter.com/Jl0M0QIIA4
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) December 9, 2022
Hilarious.
It has been about as well received as you would expect, both by France and England fans.
The rules according to ‘The Sun’
Laughing at your own awkwardness on meeting The Queen - TRAITOR
Covering billboards on Paris landmarks with pictures of English footballers quoting ‘It’s Gaul Over’ on the Eve of the World Cup quarter Final between England & France - PATRIOTIC pic.twitter.com/aNOkliWiOz— Julie McHamish (@julesmchamish) December 9, 2022
Apparently the original idea was for the ad to say "Hello - we are total wankers!", but it was decided this would do the job more effectively. https://t.co/LuOMe8fg7q
— Parody Rishi Sunak (@Parody_PM) December 10, 2022
Why are we always so fucking embarrassing… #dontbuythesun https://t.co/lglPrurV2t
— 🏴☠️ Geoff Barrow 🏴☠️ (@jetfury) December 10, 2022
I’ll be supporting France. Really can’t stand this crap. https://t.co/milTuI5yPS
— Brendan May (@bmay) December 10, 2022
Do you know, this makes me absolutely puke. The great people of France, we are not all like this. I'm so sorry 😢😢😢😢😡😡😡😡 https://t.co/sm6ZAVFyrF
— Mike Ward 🐟 (@mjtward19) December 10, 2022
C'est dégueulasse. The money they spent on that billboard IN FRANCE. Could've been spent helping people IN ENGLAND which is what the sun preaches all the time. C'est vrai ou pa?
— Teila (@__Teila__) December 10, 2022
— Davolaa (@Davolaar) December 10, 2022
Can we just say, the Sun has a terrible reputation in the UK and represents a minority of right wing trolls. This isn’t us 🇫🇷 🤝 🏴 🥖 🐟 🍟
— Rob Wishart (@robwishart) December 9, 2022
Thanks to The Sun I now want England to lose, so that we can taunt them forever more for this shamefully embarrassing stunt.
— Fran 🇬🇧🇪🇺🇩🇪🇺🇦🌹 (@FranS199) December 10, 2022
Bloody hell, that’s embarrassing. Sorry, France, ignore them.
— Louise S (@LJS111) December 10, 2022
@equipedefrance venez voir ça pic.twitter.com/z0xTVd5Dhn
— I$AAC🙈 (@isaac94170) December 9, 2022
Of course, this type of overconfidence has been a trait of England in major tournaments for the last half century.
It would be an awful pity if the whole thing came back to bite them in the end on this occasion.
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