It is a measure of his and the team's expectations that, having won a place in the quarter-finals, the focus is already on the future rather than past.

"We're not allowing ourselves to get carried away, we've done well," Becks said.

"After each game our celebrations have not been over the top. In the dressing room after the game against Denmark we all shook each other by the hands but we still didn't get carried away - we were more concerned with getting ready for the next game.

"We can still improve throughout the team - we're going to have to."

Becks was delighted to see the strike partnership of Michael Owen and Emile Heskey open their respective accounts and is himself hungry for his second goal this tournament.

"It was important that both Michael and Emile got on the scoresheet," said the skipper.

"Players like that can cause any defence problems."

Of his own goal chances in the Quarter Final, he added: "It would be nice to get any goal in that game. We'll see.

"If a free-kick's there I'll be ready. I've not really had one close enough to goal yet."

"Obviously the people's choice would be Brazil," said Beckham of our potential opponents.

"The last time we played them at the World Cup was in 1970, I remember seeing the pictures of (Bobby) Moore changing shirts with Pele; two great people like that and it's two great nations."

Asked if he thought this England team were making history themselves, he replied: "Not yet.

"We are three games closer to the final but we can't let ourselves get carried away. We know people are getting excited at home, and so they should be."