England 3-0 Senegal: Three Lions stroll past Senegal to book Quarter Final clash with France
England turned on the class after a sluggish start to beat Senegal 3-0 at the 2022 World Cup to advance to the quarter finals.
After struggling to get into gear from the off at the Al Bayt Stadium, the England fans were finally afforded a reason to celebrate in the 38th minute when Jude Bellingham effortlessly set up Jordan Henderson for the opener.
Gareth Southgate’s men used their momentum to make it two before the break when Bellingham led a counter attack, which was finished by Harry Kane (45+3).
After the break Bukayo Saka scored in the 57th minute as he deftly lifted the ball over Edouard Mendy for his third goal of the tournament.
The result means England will now look forward to playing the reigning champions France in the Quarter Finals after their 3-1 win against Poland, this will be the first time in men’s World Cup history where England will face France in the knockout stages.
Southgate was unable to call upon Raheem Sterling as he wasn’t available for selection due to dealing with a family matter.
Early in the first for Senegal Krepin Diatta’s cross is mis-hit by Boulaye Dia, and the ball bounces in front of the England goal, but Ismaila Sarr arrives and blasts it over the top.
A poor pass back from Saka is latched onto by Sarr who cuts inside across the edge of the box before finding Dia, whose shot is superbly parried by the outstretched glove of Jordan Pickford.
Bellingham draws several defenders out before he cuts the ball back and Henderson is on hand to slot it below Mendy for the first goal.
Moments after the first goal Saka squares the ball to Kane who arrives on the edge of the box to hit it, but drags his effort high and wide of the target.
Bellingham does well to win the ball and feeds Foden through the middle who immediately passes to the unmarked Kane who lashes the ball past a hopeless Mendy.
Foden charges down the left wing where he squares the ball across goal on the byline to Saka who lifts it over Mendy for the third.
Rashford bursts down the right before crossing early for Kane, the captain races into the middle and stretches to connect with the ball, but isn’t able to get there and the ball rolls away.