Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden took advantage of their starting roles to help England knock Wales out of the World Cup with a 3-0 victory that regained top spot in Group B and set up a last 16 clash with Senegal.
England boss Gareth Southgate has been impressed since the disappointing encounter with the USA about Foden’s absence from the game so far and the Manchester City striker showed what he can bring at the start of the second half.
First, he won a free-kick, which was cleverly converted by Rashford (50), then he went in behind (51) a few minutes later for his country to win the first British championship. World Cup finals.
Rashford had already scored in the opening game against Iran and capped his best form with his best second (68), collecting the ball over the top from sub Kalvin Phillips before cutting inside his own box and firing through the legs of Danny Ward. He had the Welsh goalkeeper glancing at his near post in pursuit of a hat-trick and now looks set to start in the next round.
Wales, who needed a win and a positive result in the other group stage to advance to their first World Cup trip since 1958, did well to slow their opponents down in the first half but never threatened the offensive they needed. Their first shot came in stoppage time and only a short effort from Kieffer Moore set up Jordan Pickford for England.
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Supporters at BOXPARK went wild after England scored three quick successions against Wales in the World Cup.
Gareth Bale scored just seven times in the opening 45 minutes and suffered a groin injury at half-time in what was likely to be his last game for his country. He insisted afterwards that he hopes to continue but the next stage will be the most important issue as Wales reflect on what they have done to reach Qatar and finish in the group and the first major tournament they have failed to win. match.
In England, the knockout phase awaits, with Southgate boosted by his team’s strength in depth, Kyle Walker and Phillips getting important minutes on their return from injury, and Foden and Rashford showing the range of attacking options they have.
How England won the British war in Qatar
Rashford, on for Raheem Sterling, should have put England in front with just 10 minutes on the clock, when Harry Kane made a stunning dive to run home but Ward was quick on the edge of his area to read the effort. keep the effort forward.
Foden then fired over as a revived England attack started to fire but a well-prepared Wales put the brakes on and almost 20 minutes later Harry Maguire’s treacherous finish in the box summed up his side’s frustrations, and his shot. fly to throw.
Neco Williams had struck earlier, driving past Rashford, and was eventually forced off on 35 minutes – and from then on England went into the half, with their best opening move when Jude Bellingham headed in Jordan Henderson’s pass. to Walker before taking a pass back for Foden to shoot.
Gareth Southgate hugs Marcus Rashford as the striker is brought on
Rashford missed a header and failed to pick out Bellingham’s lightning end before Joe Allen fired home Wales’ first shot of the half into stoppage time. But the injury-plagued Bale’s half-time exit was a huge setback for Wales and England – who had been undermanned up until this point – went on.
A few minutes from the restart, Foden shot from the edge of the box and Rashford stepped up and smashed the ball into the corner of the goalkeeper, Ward waiting to shoot over the wall.
Seconds later one turned into two, Foden slotting in himself, heading in at the back after Rashford’s press from Ben Davies allowed Kane to skip the ball in the six-yard box.
Phil Foden celebrates his goal with Jude Bellingham
A long-range shot from Moore caused Pickford to make a momentary mistake, but the keeper recovered to save the game and Rashford’s second soon after ended the contest – and Wales’ hopes were fading.
Phillips, making his Qatar debut, lifted a pass to send Rashford into the air and after he got inside Connor Roberts, his shot went through Ward’s legs. It was England’s 100th goal in a World Cup final and took Rashford’s top scorer in the tournament.
He would have added another to make the scoreline better before being dismissed and Bellingham made a strong stop from Ward before John Stones slotted home from six yards at the last minute, as England looked to extend their dominance. Part of Wales.
It was a bitter night for the Welsh, who also lost another experienced player in Allen to injury – but England can now look ahead, with the prospect of another big tournament under way under Southgate.
Page: This effort was exceptional, I couldn’t be prouder
Wales boss Rob Page: “It’s very difficult to take. In the first half we were good, the effort the players made not to take the ball was unusual. We could have been a little better on the ball, but I won’t say a bad word about the ball. The players, they gave everything today.
“I don’t want to say bad things, the boys have changed. We’re disappointed to leave the competition but if we go out, it’s a way out, our first half was very good. .
“Five minutes until half time.” [Gareth Bale] he felt a pain in his hip. Joe Allen threw everything in his first 90 minutes. Ben Davies had to go out with an injury. It was a great effort from the whole team. Getting this far is a huge achievement. I couldn’t be prouder of them.
Analysis: England entertain but the real business begins now
Sky Sports News’ Rob Dorsett in Qatar:
“That was impressive from England, especially their manager.
“Southgate broke his pack, and two big calls – to bring on Foden and Rashford – paid off big time. Both were great and deserved the three goals they got.
“A very good performance, which would have been very beneficial in terms of goals. England are at the top of the group, and they will play against Senegal with a new belief – a belief that was evident after the defeat to Iran.
“The real business begins here, however, and it was also clear that there were no idle celebrations from the England players.
“They expected to win Group B, and they know they will be judged on what happens in the upcoming games in Qatar.”
What does the result mean?
England’s victory has set up a last 16 clash with Senegal on Sunday December 4, starting at 7pm.
The defeat to Wales, combined with the USA’s victory over Iran, means they finish in Group B with one point from their three matches.
