Wales 0 – 3 England
Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden capitalized on their starting roles to help England knock Wales out of the World Cup with a 3-0 win, while also finishing top of Group B and setting up a round of 16 tie with Senegal.
England manager Gareth Southgate has been furious since the disappointing goalless draw with the United States over Foden’s absence from the tournament so far and the Manchester City forward has shown the what he can bring to this stage at the start of the second half.
First, he won the free-kick, brilliantly taken by Rashford (50), and then he shot from the post (51) shortly after to give his team the final victory. comfortable in the first all-English match The World Cup Final clash.
Rashford scored in the opening game of the game against Iran and showed his fine form with a brilliant second goal (68), receiving the ball from substitute Kalvin Phillips before slamming in and finishing. passing Danny Ward’s feet. He had the Wales goalkeeper scrambling for his close post shortly after as he looked for a hat-trick and now looks set to be the main catcher in the next round.
Wales, who needed a win and a useful result in the remaining game to continue their first World Cup adventure since 1958, did well to limit their opponents in the first half but have yet to do so. never really threatened to cause much-needed discomfort. Their first shot came in first-half injury time and only a deflected long shot from Kieffer Moore sent Jordan Pickford into the net against England.
Gareth Bale touched just seven times in those first 45 minutes and was forced off the field with a hamstring injury at halftime in what could be his last in the big leagues for his country. He then insisted that he hopes to progress but his next move will be a major one as Wales ponders the impressive record against Qatar but also bottom of the table and a major tournament. the first that they could not win. Matchstick.
For England, however, a knockout stage awaits, and Southgate will be encouraged by the strength of the team’s depth, with Kyle Walker and Phillips getting key minutes as they return from injury. injured, and Foden and Rashford exemplify the range of attacking options at his disposal.
How England won the English match in Qatar
Rashford, in place of Raheem Sterling, should have given England the lead after just 10 minutes, when Harry Kane made a great pass to put him in but Ward quickly crossed out of his area. him and read the chip that tried to score. chest go effort of the front.
Foden then shot long as a new England attack began to fire but the well-organized Wales halted that momentum and almost 20 minutes later, an almost comical finish with a run into the box by Harry Maguire. summed up his team’s frustration, with his shot flying wide for a throw-in.
Neco Williams had previously made a hit, headed a Rashford shot, and was eventually forced out in the 35th minute – and from there, England advanced in the first half, with the best move ever. their opening stage as Jude Bellingham turned to pass Jordan Henderson to Walker before bouncing back for Foden to shoot through.
Rashford made a mistake on a header and failed to pick up Bellingham at the end of a lightning counter-attack before Joe Allen finally hit Wales’ first shot in first-half stoppage time. But the injury Bale had to withdraw in the first half was a huge setback for Wales and England – teams that had been playing below their best up to that point – moving on.
Within minutes of the game’s restart, a brilliant dribble by Foden – who switched wings with Rashford – earned a direct free kick at the edge of the box. Rashford stepped up and put the ball into the keeper’s corner, while Ward anticipated his shot over the fence.
Seconds later, one turned into two, with Foden putting in the action himself, finishing off towards the post after Rashford closed in on Ben Davies allowing Kane to glide over the six-yard box.
A wide miss from Moore sent Pickford momentarily fouled but the keeper recovered well to make his only save of the game and Rashford’s second goal soon ended the game. – and Wales’ hopes are fading.
Phillips, making his first appearance in Qatar, made a pass to put Rashford into space and, after he passed inside for Connor Roberts, his sharp shot went through Ward’s leg. It was England’s 100th goal at a World Cup final and helped Rashford rise to the top of this edition’s scoring charts.
He could easily have scored another man to take the lead in those rankings before he was substituted and Bellingham forced Ward to come to an abrupt halt before John Stones somehow swerved from the line. 6 yards in the final moments, as England sought to solidify their dominance of the game. Wales.
It was a painful night for the Welshman, who also lost Davies and Allen to injuries – but England can now look ahead, optimistic about another major tournament under Southgate.
Southgate: Rashford is really impressive
England coach Gareth Southgate told the BBC: “I think in the first half we really controlled the game, but we didn’t create a lot of clear chances. So we wanted a little more thrust and threat in the last third of the game. and play attack a little faster.
“In the second half, when we got two goals, we knew their morale had probably gone down, it was a tough tournament for them. I think we kept the discipline and quality. yours until the last minute.
“It’s been fantastic for Marcus Rashford, he’s been training really well. I have to say, he’s been impressive since coming back to us. He could have scored a hat-trick, couldn’t he? And the free-kick is what he’s capable of, it’s an incredible attack indeed.
“There were times when I thought both Foden and Rash were quiet in the first half, we decided to switch wings, and I think that could allow them to go out and also have a chance to come in and they reacted very well. , so for both to get the goal is great.”
Trang: The effort is phenomenal, I couldn’t be more proud
Wales boss Rob Page told the BBC: “It was difficult to pass. In the first half we played brilliantly, the effort the players put in was phenomenal. We could have held the ball a bit better, but I won’t say bad things about the players. that.” players, they gave everything today.
“I don’t want to talk about the negatives, the boys have changed. We are very disappointed to have to leave the tournament but if we have to play, that’s the way to go, our first-half performance. we are excellent .
“Five minutes before halftime [Gareth Bale] feel his hamstrings. Joe Allen threw everything at it in his first 90 minutes. Ben Davies had to play due to injury. It was a great effort from all groups. To be here is a great achievement. I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
Analysis: Britain impresses but the real business has just begun
Sky Sports News’ Rob Dorsett in Qatar:
“That’s impressive from England, especially their manager.
“Southgate shuffled his squad, and the two big calls – bringing in Foden and Rashford – paid off. Both were excellent and deserved the three goals they got.
“A completely professional performance, maybe even more lucrative in the scoring column. England are top of the table, and they will face Senegal with renewed confidence – a belief that was evident after the defeat against Iran. .
“However, the real business starts right now, and it is remarkable that there is no wild celebration from the English players.
“They are expected to win Group B and they know they will be judged on what goes on in the next matches in Qatar.”
What does the result mean?
England’s victory set up a round of 16 draw with Senegal on Sunday 4 December, which kicks off at 7pm.
The defeat to Wales, coupled with the United States’ win over Iran, means they end the campaign bottom of Group B with a point from three games.