Qatar 2022: Rashford, Foden score as Three Lions roast Wales, seal Round of 16 berth
England have sealed their qualification for the Round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup.
They did it in style as they hammered Wales 3-0 and finished as the group winners ahead of the second placed USA.
It began as Phil Foden watch but it was a rejuvenated Marcus Rashford who broke Wales’ resistance with a brace, with the Manchester City forward also getting in on the act.
Amid the pressure on Gareth Southgate to alter his forward line, the Three Lions boss made four changes and they were all vindicated – even if it meant leaving Bukayo Saka, Jack Grealish, Raheem Sterling and Mason Mount on the bench.
Rashford opened the scoring with a perfectly executed free-kick – though Alan Shearer also pinned the blame on Danny Ward – and it was just reward for creating two of England’s best chances early on, latching onto a through ball from Harry Kane but thwarted by Ward and later opting for an audacious overhead kick.
Foden doubled England’s lead from close range following Kane’s cross from the right, before Rashford cut inside and finished off a superb team goal after Kalvin Phillips’ ball over the top for England’s 100th goal at World Cup finals.
This was almost certainly a final outing on the biggest stage for Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey.
The Red Wall’s first excitement of the night came courtesy of another veteran as Joe Allen cut inside but couldn’t keep his shot down – another reminder that this tournament has only hastened along a changing of the guard that Robert Page will reluctantly now have to oversee.
In the build-up to their group stage finale, Wales had held a minute’s silence to remember Gary Speed, the man to whom so many attribute Wales’ journey back to prominence and a first World Cup since 1958. The legacy of Speed will no doubt ensure they won’t have to wait another six decades for their next.
England will play Senegal in the last 16 on Sunday 4 December
