England ready to end France hoodoo in Women's Euro 2017 quarter-final

Head coach Mark Sampson says his Lionesses are better now than when they made history at the 2015 Women’s World Cup.

Sampson's side secured a third-place finish in Canada two years ago as the Lionesses achieved the best result by a senior England team at a major tournament overseas.

England appear to be peaking at just the right time after winning their first three matches at Women's Euro 2017, something they have never done before at a major tournament.

France, who sit two places above England in the FIFA rankings, lie in wait for the Lionesses in the quarter-finals on Sunday.

England's last win against the French came 43 years ago but Sampson says this weekend's game in the Dutch town of Deventer holds no fear for his team.

"We are ready for this game," he told Sky Sports News. "Without a shadow of a doubt [we are better than we were two years ago].

"I'm very proud of the work this group of staff and the players have done over the last two years and how much this team has grown.

"Look at the physicality of the players, look at the mentality of the players and look at the quality of football they have played at this tournament

"Four years ago we finished last at this event [at Euro 2013] and four years later we are arriving here as one of the favourites. People are telling me we are the favourites to beat France on Sunday.

"We're very proud of the work we have done but we are not going to stop there.

"Our ambition is to be the best team in the world. Our reason to be here is to win this tournament and to do that we've got to get France out of the way on Sunday."