England have prospered after a challenging start to easily beat Senegal 3-0 at the 2022 World Cup and advance to the quarterfinals.
The result set up a tantalizing clash with France, who defeated Poland 3-1 earlier in the day, for Gareth Southgate’s side in the first knockout meeting of the two European heavyweights at a World Cup.
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Jordan Henderson and captain Harry Kane both scored just before half-time to take a 2-0 first-half lead against a Senegal side that looked perfectly fit for duty at Al Bayt Stadium.
Speedy Senegal forward Boulaye Dia, who looked dangerous on the counter-attack, came closest for the African side as he made a brilliant one-handed save from Jordan Pickford after the line. England goalkeeper carelessly let the ball go away in just half an hour.
Henderson addressed England’s anxiety in the 38th minute, sending the ball home after being hit by Jude Bellingham at the end of a fine pass.
Kane delivered a dangerous shot past goalkeeper Edouard Mendy on the last kick of the first half, one goal away from Wayne Rooney’s England record of 53.
Coach Rigobert Song unleashed substitutions for Senegal in the first half but to little effect as Bukayo Saka put England ahead in the 57th minute, making a deft touch for Phil Foden to do. pass through the 6-yard ring through Mendy’s outstretched arm.
Saka’s strike brought England’s tally so far in Qatar to 12 – equaling the nation’s World Cup record tally of reaching the semi-finals in Russia – as the Three Lions testified. The match takes place in a tense battle position.
Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling, who started England’s first two games, was eliminated from the team completely to deal with what the FA describes as a “family problem”.
