Fabio Capello believes England are hitting top form at just the right time.
After a stuttering start to their World Cup campaign, the Three Lions produced an improved performance to beat Slovenia 1-0 to set up a last-16 encounter with Germany on Sunday.
"Against Slovenia we did really very well in every area of the pitch," said Capello. "The positions we took up were very good. We won back the ball and played quickly. The passing was really dangerous and we switched the ball quickly. In the other games we lost the ball a lot but this time we managed to keep hold of it. Overall I am very happy."
Years | Winners | Runner-up | Third place |
2006 | Italy | France | Germany |
2002 | Brazil | Germany | Turkey |
1998 | France | Brazil | Croatia |
1994 | Brazil | Italy | Sweden |
1990 | Germany | Argentina | Italy |
1986 | Argentina | Germany | France |
1982 | Italy | Germany | Poland |
1978 | Argentina | Holland | Brazil |
1974 | Germany | Holland | Poland |
1970 | Brazil | Italy | Germany |
1966 | England | Germany | Portugal |
1962 | Brazil | Czech | Chile |
1958 | Brazil | Sweden | France |
1954 | Germany | Hungary | Austria |
1950 | Uruguay | Brazil | Sweden |
1938 | Italy | Hungary | Brazil |
1934 | Italy | Czech | Germany |
1930 | Uruguay | Argentina | America |