ENGLAND 3, SENEGAL 0
England are growing into the World Cup after sweeping past Senegal to claim a place in the quarter finals.
The ease in which they disposed of the African champions must have sent a chilling message to their rivals, including Saturday’s last-eight opponents France, the reigning champions.
Goals from Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka extended England’s total to 12 in four games in Qatar as they are the competition’s leading scorers.
They have been spread between eight players compared to quarter-final opponents France who have had only three.
It was Kane’s 11th goal at a major tournament as he overtook Gary Lineker’s previous best of 10 and his 52nd as he moved within one of record holder Wayne Rooney.
And after conceding two goals in their opening game against Iran, England have now kept three successive clean sheets as they have tightened up at the back.
This was also manager Gareth Southgate’s sixth knockout win between 2018-22, the same number that England won in major tournaments between 1968 to 2016, evidence of how outstanding his record is.
Embed from Getty ImagesSouthgate was delighted, saying: “We made a complicated game look straightforward because of our mentality and attitude.
“What pleased me was the ruthlessness of our execution and the way we worked off the ball.”
There was praise for Henderson as he continued: “Hendo does not et many goals for us, but it is outstanding how he knits the team together.
“He is brilliant round the camp, and it was great for him to score.”
Southgate was also delighted with the displays of Jude Bellingham, Saka and Phil Foden, explaining: “We have some super young players, and it is right to give them their heads and opportunities.
“They are heading in the right direction and getting great life experiences. The progress they are making is phenomenal.”
As for France, Southgate said: “They are an outstanding team with a phenomenal tournament, and they have brilliant individuals.”
Captain Kane said: “It was really tough as knockout games are never easy. We have showed great maturity throughout the tournament against a very good side.
“We were solid at the back, and it was also three clean sheets. It was a very good day for us.”
There was praise for youngsters Bellingham, Sako and Foden as he continued: “All three played big parts in the goals. We have a great mixture of youth and experience.
“It was another knockout win which are never easy. We will enjoy this one and then prepare for a tough one against the reigning champions.”
Foden described 19-year-old Bellingham as one of the most gifted players he has ever seen.
“He has no weaknesses and is going to be one of the best players in the world,” he said.
England, who preferred Saka to Marcus Rashford, endured an anxious opening before taking charge with two goals late in the opening half.
They survived a VAR penalty check for handball against John Stones in a move which ended with Watford’s Ismaila Sa blazing over from inside the six-yard box.
Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford then made a great save to deny Boulaye Dia as it was an uncomfortable first 38 minutes.
England made the breakthrough in the 39th minute with their first serious chance when Jude Bellingham cut the ball back from the left for Henderson to sweep home a low shot from 12 yards, only his third goal in 73 internationals.
Henderson, at 32 years and 170 days, became England’s second oldest World Cup scorer after Tom Finney who was 36 years and 64 days when he scored against USSR in 1958.
Suddenly the momentum swung England’s way as Kane fired over from Saka’s cross before a second goal came in the third minute of added time.
England broke swiftly from the edge of their defensive box from a Senegal attack. Bellingham muscled his way forward before releasing Foden on the left and he played a first-time ball to Kane who found the net from just inside the Senegal area.
Senegal coach Aliou Cisse’s response was to make three changes for the restart in a do-or-die move to get back into the game.
It failed to improve the fortunes of the Africans as England maintained the momentum.
Kane had a long-range effort fumbled by Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy before England added a third goal in the 57th minute.
A great build up down the left ended with Foden’s low cross met by Saka who dinked the ball over Mendy for his third goal of the tournament.
It was the signal for Southgate to make a double change as Saka and Foden made way for Rashford and Jack Grealish.
That was soon followed by a further three as Bellingham, John Stones and Henderson were replaced by Mason Mount, Eric Dier and Kalvin Phillips.
Three goals to the good, England coasted through the final half hour as they managed the game well as Senegal were clearly dispirited.
And Rashford might have scored a fourth goal in stoppage time when he fired a close-range effort into the side netting.