People Are Comparing Kieran Trippier To David Beckham, Even David Beckham

England have started their World Cup semi-final pretty damn well against Croatia. They have been pressing the ball, looking a threat from set-pieces - as you might well expect - and, of course, they scored the all-important first goal.

That means that Croatia now have it all to do. They've got to attack and come forward - that leaves space behind the defence, which is exactly what you want if you've got players like Raheem Sterling, and Jesse Lingard.

The big star of the first half was Kieran Trippier, though. It was his free-kick that stunned the Croatians after just five minutes had gone.

Lingard was fouled and he stepped up and stroked the ball into the top corner past Danijel Subašić in the Croatian goal.

Hey, they don't call him 'The Bury Beckham' for nothing, you know.

It's been a massive tournament from Trippier. His delivery is excellent and his defensive work hasn't been bad either (which does somewhat dampen the David Beckham comparisons, but never mind).

Even the main man Becks is impressed. He posted a photo on his Instagram account the other day that said: "This man's delivery has been fire"

Well, the feeling is mutual, it turns out.

On The Lion's Den on Monday, Kieran said: "He's always been my idol since I was younger because of his set pieces,

"His all-round play, he's won everything in the game. To receive that message - what a moment for me. To get it off my idol is something special, and one I'll never ever forget."

His team-mates think that he's great too. I mean, when you're smashing it into the net from 25 yards in a World Cup semi-final, you're going to get some praise from your team-mates.

In the lead up to the game at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium, his Tottenham and England colleague Eric Dier said: "He's had a fantastic tournament. I'm so, so happy for him I think it [recognition] is fully deserved.

"I think this season and last season but especially this season at Tottenham he has come on so much. Maybe that has been noticed as much as it should have been.

"It is not so much of a surprise but I think the level he has shown throughout this tournament has been incredible. His consistency - everyone is trying to compare him to Beckham, which is obviously fantastic for him.

"His delivery, aggression both offensively and defensively, I think he has been fantastic, his consistency has been incredible and I think he fully deserves it."

Well, if he keeps it up, there could be more to come yet...