A brilliant Rashford took England into the round of 16 and knocked Wales out

The criticized Gareth Southgate has led England in the round of 16 of the World Cup in Qatar as the first group and their next opponent is Senegal. Wales needed a miracle to avoid elimination and, after waiting until the break, two goals from Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden in the second half (0-3) sealed the farewell to Gareth Bale, who was left by Rob Page in the locker room in the rest after not being noticed, from the tournament.

England and Wales meet for the 104th time in their history but have never done so in a World Cup. The British pulse, with all its members who have a present or past in the Premier League, reflected from the first minute the theoretical excellence of the ‘pross’, which ended the dream of their neighbors to repeat the historic success of reaching the semifinals at Euro 2016.

England started the World Cup by beating Iran (6-2) and in their second game their game was in doubt when they drew against the United States (0-0). And now in the first half his intense control of the ball hardly translated at times despite the mobility of his points against an opponent withdrawn from his field.

Kane, assistant and Rashford, scorer

Harry Kane, not at his best after picking up a knock on the ankle against Iran, was awarded the Golden Boot at the 2018 World Cup with 6 goals but in Qatar he seems determined to take on an assistant role and Rashford, a goalscorer, scored a double and reached Enner Valencia, Mbappé and Gakpo at the top of the list of top scorers with three.

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Rashford opened the scoring in the 9th minute when Kane released him but found Ward in a one-on-one. Before the break Foden came close to completing a fine collective action and Rashford himself again warned a Chilean wide.

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Foden and Rashford switch sides

England didn’t play badly, on the contrary, but I couldn’t find the way. Southgate, who was criticized for not giving him a minute against the United States, tried it by giving Foden a starting position for the first time and placing him on the left, while Rashford moved to the right.

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The English coach switched bands after the break and hit the switch. Foden continued to play on the right as he had done at City, although the action that opened the can was a free kick by Rashford that surprised a Ward who did not react in time (49′).

Just two minutes later, Rashford stole the ball, passed it to Kane and waited a few tenths to place a perfectly low ball at the far post, where Foden only had to push it into the net. This is the third helping of English crack.

Wales, already without the disappointing Bale, had two flashes from Daniel James and Kieffer Moore, too little to scare an England who were in intense mode.

Rest for Kane

Southgate, already thinking about the round of 16 against Senegal, allowed himself the luxury of resting Kane and later Rashford after settling for MVP of the match at 0-3. A play in which the United striker confirmed his power, escaping after a good long ball from the recently entered Kalvin Phillips, and quality, cutting Connor Roberts, before Ward shot at the short post (67′).

England may be doomed but there is no doubt they are seeded in the round of 16 to regain the ultimate sensation. Everything went well for the runner-up in Europe and they regained Kyle Walker, who reappeared as a starter, and Kalvin Phillips, who did so as a substitute, after overcoming their injuries that led them to undergo surgery and put their presence in doubt in Qatar.