AL KHOR, Qatar — England beat Senegal 3-0 at Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday with goals from Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka set up a blockbuster quarterfinal clash with France.
The Three Lions took control of the game at the end of a tense first half with Jude Bellingham played an important role in both British goals. First, the 19-year-old found Henderson in the box for a simple left-footed finish, and just before the whistle blew, he darted forward to make a counter-attack. Phil Fodenwho in turn released Kane to score the first goal for the home team at this World Cup.
After the restart, Foden became Saka’s supplier again in the 57th minute before England played in the final half hour with minimal fuss, reaching the last eight for the third major tournament in a row. next.
JUMP TO: Player Rating | Best/worst performer | Highlights & remarkable moments | Quotes after the game | main statistics | upcoming match schedule
rapid response
first. Southgate’s gamble on Henderson paid off (like the rest)
England Coach Gareth Southgate’s team choices are the subject of national debate these days with options at his disposal. But get out Marcus Rashfordthe hero scored twice in the net Walesmaybe the headline call on Sunday and the hold option Jordan Henderson in midfield also raised eyebrows.
Henderson has played a vital role for England so far in this World Cup, infusing a new energy against England. USA before starting in the win over Wales last time – but it was a surprise when he was given a nod Mount Mason in one of the attacking central midfield positions.
Henderson has long been a reliable and dependable member of the England team, but he needed 62 caps to score his first international goal, in the Euro 2020 quarter-finals last summer. with the England team. Ukraine. Maybe Henderson also peaked in the knockout stages (more on that later).
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England’s third goal scored by Henderson was an homage to another influential performance that testified to Southgate’s judgment, as well as in large areas where the Three Lions coach struggled. best. Southgate went with Phil Foden and Bukayo Sakaand both scored.
England have gone on a six-game winless streak going into these finals, but Southgate’s tournament prowess has helped them turn that suspect into a distant memory.
2. Kane on his way to the knockout stage
Harry Kane spoke on Saturday about the work he’s been doing to try to reach his peak physically and mentally in the knockout stages of tournaments after the goalless group stage in Qatar.
At the last World Cup four years ago, Kane won the Golden Boot, but five of his six goals came from the group stage and the 29-year-old admits he feels increasingly tired as the tournament drags on. . Kane scored all three goals at Euro 2020 last summer in the knockout stages, and he is now making his mark at these finals finishing off a superb counter-attack with a shot. perilously through Edouard Mendy.
Saturday’s clash with France is clearly another step forward for England, but Southgate’s side stand a better chance if Kane is indeed adjusting his form to become better towards the end of the tournament. fight.
The Tottenham striker is now just one goal away from equaling Wayne Rooney’s international record for England (53).
3. Bellingham thrives on its biggest stage
Jude Bellingham is playing in the biggest match of his life, but it cannot be said, it is with comfort and authority that he has accomplished the task at hand.
After setting up Henderson’s opener, the 19-year-old’s most notable contribution was when he darted forward to lead a counter-attack, timing his pass to become the ball. perfect for Foden to pass the ball to Harry Kane to double England’s lead in first-half stoppage time.
Bellingham’s temperament matches his talent under the greatest pressure he will ever be under, and the foundation of that lies in his hard work without the ball: Bellingham won all four tackles and more than half of his 16 top-flight tackles.
With the ball, he was usually very deft, completing 30 of his 33 passes before being pulled out in the final 14 minutes against France. It is a credit to the United States that they were able to silence Bellingham as much as they did in the group stage. No one else has come close yet.
Player Rating
England: Jordan Pickford 7, Kyle Walker 7, John Stones 7, Harry Maguire 6, Luke Shaw 7; Jude Bellingham 9, Declan Rice 7, Jordan Henderson 8; Bukayo Saka 8, Harry Kane 8, Phil Foden 8.
Prep: Marcus Rashford 6, Jack Grealish 6, Mason Mount 6, Eric Dier 6, Kalvin Phillips 6.
Senegal: Edouard Mendy 6, Youssouf Sabaly 6, Kalidou Koulibaly 5, Abdou Diallo 5, Ismail Jakobs 5, Ismaila Sarr 6, Nampalys Mendy 6, Pathe Ciss 6, Krepin Diatta 5, Iliman Ndiaye 5, Boulaye Dia 6.
Prep: Pape Matar Sarr 6, Cheikh Dieng 6, Pape Gueye 6, Famara Diedhiou 6, Fode Ballo-Toure 6.
Best and worst performers
BEST: Jude Bellingham, England
It is a super midfield product of the youngest player in England.
BEST: Kalidou Koulibaly, Senegal
Senegal is underwhelmed here, and Koulibaly is at the heart of a defence that can’t cope with England’s movement as they pick up the tempo.
Highlights and remarkable moments
Senegal spent most of the first half attacking with the front foot, and in fact, Senegal were ready to score first.
In the 32nd minute, England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford made an excellent save to deny Boulaye Dia’s close-range shot.
PICKFORD ALSO SAVE
He kept everything goalless in the first half pic.twitter.com/ztREKeY8Jn
– FOX Football (@FOXSoccer) December 4, 2022
But about five minutes later, in front of what appeared to be unexpected play, England scored to take the lead.
Jude Bellingham received the ball down the wing, dribbled past a defender and then passed it to Jordan Henderson, who hit the far corner with a side swipe.
ENGLISH IS BETTER
Jordan Henderson has a beautiful finish to hit England 🔥 pic.twitter.com/1dCwKfgSH8
– FOX Football (@FOXSoccer) December 4, 2022
Right before the goal, England registered only 0.09 xG, or expected goals, while Senegal’s xG was 0.89, but all that matters is the scoreboard.
The final match would have ended in a 3-0 win for England, but it was those two early moments – Senegal failing to score, and England turning and scoring first – that determined the final outcome.
As a bonus, here are England fans at a bar reacting to the goals:
0:58
England fans celebrate Jordan Henderson and Harry Kane’s first-half goal.
After the game: What players and coaches say
England captain Harry Kane in the win: “Really tough, knockout matches are never easy. We showed great maturity throughout the tournament. The mentality to play well from the start and score three nice goals. Three consecutive clean sheets is also really important for us.”
Kane on his goals: “I had too much time. The ball went up beautifully. The connection was perfect. I am a striker so whenever I score, I am happy.”
Kane on the team chemistry: “Now we have a great combination of youth and experience. Another knockout victory, over the years they have not been easy for England. We will enjoy this game, but then our focus will turn to that [France game]. It’s going to be a really tough battle.”
England’s Phil Foden on France in the quarter-finals: “We all want to play in the biggest games and there is no better game than the one against France. In our best game we can create chances and score goals, we look forward to it. what will be a great challenge.”
Key stats (provided by ESPN Stats & Information)
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With eight different scorers, England had the most different scorers at a World Cup. The record of 10 different goalscorers was set by Belgium in 2018, Italy in 2006 and France in 1982.
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Jude Bellingham is the first player to score and assist at a World Cup before turning 20 since Lionel Messi in 2006.
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Jude Bellingham is the only teen player to score an assist in a World Cup knockout match since at least 1966, which is when our data set began.
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At the age of 21 and 90 days, Bukayo Saka is the youngest player to score 3 or more goals for England at the FIFA World Cup.
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Phil Foden is the second youngest player since 1966 with the most assists in a World Cup knockout match. Ronaldo’s Brazil had 2 goals against Denmark in the quarter-finals of 1998.
Next
England: The Three Lions have reached the quarterfinals of the World Cup, where they will meet France on Saturday, December 10.
Senegal: Teranga’s lions put up a good fight against England early on but were knocked out of the World Cup.
