By Chris Sampson
- Missed chances prove costly for Lions of Teranga as England grab control
- Bellingham the driving force as Henderson, Kane and Saka on target
- France await as Three Lions progress to the last eight
QATAR – England march into the Quarter-Finals of the World Cup with a convincing win over Aliou Cissé’s Senegal.
England 3 Senegal 0
England set up a quarter-final meeting with France on Saturday with an impressive victory over Senegal. Gareth Southgate’s side overcame an uncertain start, with Senegal having the clearer opportunities in the opening 30 minutes. However, Jordan Henderson opened the scoring for England on 38 minutes and further goals from Harry Kane, in first-half stoppage time, and Bukayo Saka on 57 minutes saw them run out as comfortable and convincing winners.
England initially looked confident, with Jude Bellingham prominent, however, on several occasions Aliou Cissé’s side looked dangerous after taking advantage of misplaced passes from the Three Lions. The African champions targeted the channels down the side of England´s central defenders. Saliou Ciss pounced on an error and drove forward to feed Boulaye Dia who ran at John Stones and Harry Maguire. The England defensive pair did not look comfortable but did enough to prevent Dia getting a shot away. On the 23rd minute Krépin Diatta intercepted a pass from Maguire and played in Dia, who saw his volley blocked only for Ismaila Sarr to fire over. Sarr then played in Dia who forced Jordan Pickford into a fine save.
Senegal were made to pay for those missed chances as England seized control seven minutes before the interval. Phil Foden´s superb flick from Luke Shaw´s pass found Kane, who was again dropping deep to good effect. The England captain played a perfectly timed ball into Bellingham who cut the ball back for Henderson to sweep home. Then, in the third minute of first-half stoppage time, Bellingham intercepted and surged forward to find Foden who played in Kane to score his first of the tournament. The game was effectively over as a contest on 57 minutes when Foden´s cross found Saka, who deftly flicked past Edouard Mendy.
Southgate was then able to use his substitutions to rest some of his key men and keep others sharp with vital minutes. After another fine win, England can look to the quarter-final with confidence. Declan Rice and Henderson have provided a solid base in midfield, from which Bellingham has been able to thrive. Foden and Saka have impressed from wide positions, and Kane, who has consistently been a creative force, is now off the mark himself, as he chases Wayne Rooney´s record. The Three Lions also have options from the bench, with Southgate confident enough to leave Marcus Rashford out, despite his two-goal performance against Wales. However, France have looked as impressive as anyone, with Kylian Mbappe in devastating form, so Saturday’s game will be a stern test of England´s credentials.
England will play France in the World Cup Quarter-Final on Saturday December 10 at 7pm.
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