England swept Senegal aside with an overwhelming 3-0 victory at Al Bayt Stadium to set up a mouth-watering 2022 World Cup quarter-final tie against France. Despite a relatively sluggish start to the game, Gareth Southgate’s lads eased past the African side to reach the last eight for the second World Cup tournament on the trot.
The Three Lions enjoyed a stellar group-stage campaign in Qatar, racking up two wins and a draw to qualify for the knockout rounds as Group B winners. As one of the strongest teams in the tournament, Southgate’s men are heavily fancied to lift the Jules Rimet trophy for the first time since 1996.
Tonight’s fixture showed England have the quality to better last tournament’s fourth-placed finish. Jordan Henderson opened the scoring late in the first half following an intricate build-up ply to give his country an all-important lead.
It got better as Harry Kane slotted home a one-on-one with Edouard Mendy to hand England a two-goal cushion on the stroke of halftime. Arsenal star Bukayo Saka put the game beyond doubt in the 57th minute, latching onto Phil Foden’s inch-perfect cross to send Senegal home.
England (4-3-3)
Jordan Pickford – 6.5
Despite doubts over Pickford’s first-team credentials, the Everton goalkeeper silenced his critics with a fabulous first-half save to deny Boulaye Dia from a tight angle.
Kyle Walker – 7
Replaced Kieran Trippier – Southgate’s first choice during the group stages – the Manchester City right-back barely put his foot wrong throughout the match, ensuring stability and energy on the right flank.
John Stones – 6.5
Another Man City star chipped in with a rock-solid performance, keeping things tight at the back while providing security in the build-up category.
Harry Maguire – 7
Despite becoming a scapegoat at Manchester United, Maguire continues to defy all expectations, putting on another top-class showing.
Luke Shaw – 6.5
Like his club teammate, the often criticized left-back came up with another inspiring performance, causing problems with his runs down the left flank.
Declan Rice – 6.5
He won’t get the acclaim for this victory, but Rice’s ability to drop into the defensive line was essential to England’s insistence to build from the back.
Jude Bellignham – 7.5
One of the world’s most sought-after talents terrorized the Senegal backline with his quick thinking and movement and was rewarded with a crucial assist for Henderson’s deadlock-breaker.
Jordan Henderson – 7
While Southgate’s decision to field Henderson from the get-go caught many by surprise, the Liverpool captain showed the gaffer’s choice was no fluke. In addition to breaking down Senegal’s defensive set-up, he played a vital role in establishing England’s dominance in the engine room.
Bukayo Sada – 7
A match-killing blow was nothing less than Arenal’s lightning-quick winger deserved for an electrifying performance.
Phil Foden – 7
Slotted in for Raheem Sterling, the Man City whizz-kid put his burgeoning talent on full display. Apart from a pinpoint assist to Saka, he always knew what to do with the ball at his feet.
Harry Kane – 7
England desperately needed their skipper to get back on the rails following an underwhelming group-stage form, and Kane stepped up to the plate when they needed him most.
Substitutes
Marcus Rashford – 5
He might have been a super sub in the group phase, but tonight was not one of his most eventful displays.
Jack Grealish – 5
Apart from drawing a few free-kicks in the middle of the park, the most expensive signing in Man City’s history did nothing to get the crowd on their feet.
Mason Mount – N/A
Eric Dier – N/A
Kalvin Phillips – N/A