WALES 0, ENGLAND 3
England marched into the last 16 of the World Cup with victory against Wales which was manufactured in Manchester.
There was Mancunian magic as Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden fully justified their recalls to England’s starting line-up for their final group game in Qatar by scoring all three of the country’s goals.
The pair both played starring roles as England finished top of Group B to set up a knockout game against Senegal on Sunday.
The lively Foden won the free kick which Rashford converted for the breakthrough goal before Rashford was also involved in the build-up for Foden’s strike 100 seconds later before finding the net for a second time with his third strike at the tournament.
Rashford, making his first start of the competition, has made it hard for manager Gareth Southgate to leave him out on Sunday as he was named player of the match. He is also joint leading scorer in the competition and a strong contender for the Golden Boot.
After the disappointment of their performance against the United States in their last game and a lukewarm opening period against Wales, England turned on the style in the second period as they had done when they hit Iran for six.
Embed from Getty ImagesA delighted Rashford said: “It’s a great feel and it’s for moments like this that you play football, the biggest moments.
“Hopefully we can build on this in the tournament, and we know we can play better.”
Of his breakthrough free kick, Rashford said: “I fancied one in the first half, but the one in the second half was from a better position.
“It was about being calm and trying to execute what I have been doing in training.”
Rashford added there was disappointment after the USA game when they knew they could play better, and they were determined to do so against Wales.
“We gave them (Wales) no opportunities. It was about killing the game and taking our opportunities.”
Southgate, who became the first England manager to win 10 games in the finals of major tournaments, was delighted with his side’s dominant display.
He said: “In the first half, we controlled the game, but did not create enough chances.
“We wanted more thrust and play forward quicker. In the second half once we score two goals their spirit had gone as it has been a tough tournament for them, but we kept our discipline and composure.”
Southgate was delighted with the impact Rashford and Foden made in the second half when he switched the flanks they played on.
“It was great for Marcus who has trained well and been impressive since he came back in,” he said.
“He could have had a hat-trick with the chance he had in the first half and another in the second.
“Both were quiet in the first half. I decided to switch wings and they responded very well. For both to get goals was great.”
Foden, controversially overlooked for the opening two games by Southgate, was handed a first start of the competition, one of fur changes from the side held to a disappointing draw by the United States.
Foden, Manchester City team-mate Kyle Walker, United’s Rashford and Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson were the four called up at the expense of Kieran Trippier, Mason Mount, Bukayo Sako and ex-City player Raheem Sterling.
It was an opening half in which England dominated as they enjoyed 75 per cent possession but creating little.
Rashford justified his selection as he almost gave England a 10th minute lead with their best chance of the opening period.
Harry Kane put Rashford clean through only for goalkeeper Danny Ward, deputising for the suspended Wayne Hennessey, sprinted off his line and spread himself well to make a brilliant block.
Rashford also tried an audacious overhead kick which flew wide off his shins, a measure of his confidence.
Foden had a couple of attempts but neither hit the target with the only criticism of England the lack of a cutting edge.
Wales only had one chance in stoppage time when Joe Allen fired over.
Captain Gareth Bale did not appear for the second half as he was replaced by Nottingham Forest’s Brennan Johnson.
England lifted the tempo from the restart, and they were rewarded with two quickfire goals to take control.
The breakthrough came from a stunning free kick from Rashford which was won by Foden who was fouled just outside the penalty area after a surging forward burst.
Rashford was also involved in the second as his pressure helped win possession before Kane fired a low ball across the face of goal for Foden to slot home from six yards at the far post, his third goal for his country.
Wales might have quickly halved the deficit moments later but for a fine save by Jordan Pickford who changed mid air to turn away Kieffer Moore’s long-range shot which deflected off Harry Maguire.
The game won, Southgate made a raft of changes as Walker, Kane, Declan Rice and Luke Shaw made way for Trent Alexander-Arnold, Callum Wilson, Kalvin Williams and Trippier.
Rashford struck again with 22 minutes left with a brilliant solo effort after being released down the right by Phillips. The striker cut inside and powered an unstoppable shot through Ward for England’s landmark 100th goal in the finals of the World Cup.
The rejuvenated Rashford, playing again with a smile on his face, came close to becoming only the fourth England player to score a hat-trick in the finals when he was denied by the legs of Ward.
Rashford made way for Jack Grealish as he left the field to a standing ovation from the England fans.
Ward prevented England from winning by a wider margin as he saved well to deny Jude Bellingham while John Stones blazed over in stoppage time when you would have expected him to find the net.