Lizarazu leaves them all trailing

Bixente Lizarazu may be in the autumn of his career but David Beckham and Gary Neville will be deluding themselves if they believe the France left-back will run out of steam in Sunday's match.

Just ask Lizarazu's Bayern Munich team-mate Owen Hargreaves about his capacity to last the distance and you will be left in no doubt as to the 34-year-old's fitness.

"In my opinion he is still one of the best left-backs in the world," said Hargreaves.

"He's been preparing himself mentally and physically for this tournament for the last two years and there is no question that he will be in great shape.

"He may be 34 but there is no one at Bayern Munich in better physical condition than Lizarazu, and that includes me at 23.

"He works very hard for these moments in football and if I know him he will be champing at the bit."

Hargreaves, born and raised in Canada, looked destined for a sparkling international future when he broke into the England team in 2001 until an injury in the 2002 World Cup against Argentina cost him dearly.

He said: "It was a shame I got injured because I had got my opportunity against Cameroon just before the World Cup began and I made the most of it.