England top Group B to set up tasty Senegal clash  

A blistering second-half performance powered England to a comfortable 3-0 win over neighbours Wales in their final Group B match of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. 

A Marcus Rashford double and a strike from Phil Foden ensured the 1966 World Cup winners would finish as group leaders but face a tricky tie against African champions Senegal in the Round of 16.

Wales had needed a big win to ensure they qualified for the knockout stage in their first World Cup appearance in 64 years. However, Rob Page’s side failed to put up any serious challenge when it mattered, as The Three Lions ran out of comfortable winners.

Page had told journalists before the match about his frustrations with his side’s apparent inability to play up to their levels, promising a much better performance against fierce rivals England. On the other hand, England had faced criticism for a listless draw against the USA. 

Despite all the expectations, both teams started cautiously but England had the first opening inside 10 minutes as Wales goalkeeper Danny Ward saved from Rashford after the Manchester United forward was played through by Harry Kane.

England had 73.2% possession over the opening 15 minutes of the game, but Foden blazed wide from just inside the box after some swift interchange of passes carved open the Welsh defence. 

England’s Marcus Rashford scores their first goal from a free kick past Wales’ Danny Ward. Reuters

Rashford tried a speculative overhead kick, but his effort was wide off the mark. Wales failed to create any meaningful attack, but England also failed to make the pressure count as the referee signalled for halftime. 

England emerged with more energy in the second half and soon got their reward as Rashford fired the Three Lions ahead in the 50th minute from a sumptuous freekick into the corner. 

“We were a little bit disappointed after the USA result. We could’ve played a lot better, and it was important to have a good performance in the next game. We defended brilliantly in the first half, and it was just about killing the game off early and taking the chances in the game,” Rashford told BBC One after the match.

“Moments like this, this is what I play football for -- the biggest moments, the best moments. I am happy we are going through to the next round of the tournament because I have massive ambitions for this team, and I think we can play even better than we did today.”

Wales barely had time to pick themselves up as Foden made it two for England just a minute later. Rashford knicked the ball off Ben Davies before Harry Kane sent a delicious cross into the box for the unmarked Foden to slam home from close range.

Wales tried to respond almost immediately, but Dan James flashed wide with Pickford scrambling. 

The England goalkeeper had to be immediately alert to parry a deflected effort.

Rashford soon put the game to bed with double and sealed England’s position atop the group 22 minutes from time. 

The forward latched on to a long ball from substitute Kalvin Phillips and beat his marker elegantly before driving a left-footed effort through Ward’s legs, who could have done better.

The Manchester United star could have had his hat trick in the 72nd minute, but Ward stood tall to deny the forward from close range. 

The Three Lions were in a flurry and looked to compound the woes of their deflated neighbours, but Jude Bellingham’s effort was stopped by Ward. Wales had rare sightings of goal, but Rubin Colwill and Kiefer Moore shot high and wide. 

There was time for a late chance for John Stones, but the defender in unfamiliar territory skied his effort from inside the six-yard box with the goalkeeper at his mercy. 

England will now face Senegal on Sunday at the Al Bayt Stadium. In the other group match, the USA pipped Iran 1-0 to clinch the second spot and a clash with the Netherlands on Saturday at the Khalifa International Stadium.