BBC host Gary Lineker aims cheeky dig at ITV with England out to defy ‘curse’ in World Cup last-16 clash with Ecuador

GARY LINEKER couldn’t help but take a sly dig at ITV after revealing they’ll broadcast England’s World Cup last 16 tie with Senegal.

England booked their place in the knockout stages of the tournament with a 3-0 win over Wales on Tuesday night.

And BBC host Lineker stunned fans by publicly plugging ITV’s coverage of Sunday’s match against Senegal.

The former Everton and Three Lions hitman said: “England finished top and will take on Senegal at 7pm on Sunday.

“And that’s on live on, well – uh – ITV. Oh well.”;

Footy fans were quick to comment, with one saying: “Gary Lineker mentioning ITV, the forbidden door opens once again.”;

Another said: “Gary Lineker accidentally plugging ITV showing England vs Senegal next Sunday.”;

And another said: “Can’t believe Gary Lineker said that Senegal vS England is on... ITV.”;

One remarked: “Enjoyed Gary Lineker mentioning ITV just then.

“Think that might be the first time I’ve ever heard either channel acknowledge the fact that there’s another broadcaster showing the games they don’t have.”;

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Another chimed in: “Lol @ Gary Lineker mugging off ITV.”;

England will be hoping to avoid the fan-dubbed “ITV curse”; in their clash with the Senegalese.

Since 1998, 28 of England’s matches at major tournaments have been aired on the nation’s second-biggest broadcaster.

But they have only won SIX of those games – a record Gareth Southgate will hope to improve on this weekend.

Southgate was impressed with his troop’s demolition of the Welsh, saying: “I thought in the first half we controlled the game but didn’t create enough chances.

“We wanted more thrust and threat, to play forward quicker.

“Once we got the two goals, we knew their spirit was gone, it has been a tough tournament for them.”;

Southgate was full of praise for Manchester United hitman Marcus Rashford, who bagged a spectacular brace.

The 52-year-old said of Rashford’s double: “It’s great for him, he has trained really well.

“He has been impressive since he came back to us, he could have had a hat-trick. That free kick is what he is capable of, it’s an incredible strike.

“In moments, I thought both of them [Rashford and Foden] were quiet in the first half, so we switched wings.

“They responded well, for both to get goals was great.”;