England cruise into the quarter-finals, where a fearsome France awaits

Posted Monday, December 05, 2022 by Marca.com

England will face France on Saturday as the Three Lions officially booked their place in the World Cup quarter-final with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Senegal.

After seeing the Netherlands, Argentina and Les Bleus all come through their round of 16 matchups, England turned in a professional performance against the African side.

Fears of an upset were rife in the first-half as Senegal made most of the early chances.

Ismaila Sarr was busy in front of England's static backline, threading a pass forward into the penalty area, only for Jordan Pickford to make an excellent save with his left hand from the resultant shot.

England were sloppy in possession as Harry Maguire gave the ball away twice trying to slide the ball from defense into midfielder, and Jude Bellingham simply couldn't get on the ball.

Southgate didn't panic and remained confident his team selection would succeed as the match progressed.

A penalty shout from Senegal was the next major flashpoint, although VAR adjudged the ball to have hit John Stones' knee first before his hand.

Just as Senegal were starting to dream of a famous victory, England stepped up their counter-attacking quality.

An incisive breakaway saw Bellingham free on the left side, and the Borussia Dortmund midfielder cut the ball back to an onrushing Jordan Henderson, who slid the ball beyond Edouard Mendy.

Senegal had to get to the break at 1-0, but they couldn't. With time on the clock up, Bellingham again won the ball energetically in midfield and surged through the middle of the pitch.

He expertly rode three attempts of intentional fouls before placing a perfect pass into the path of Phil Foden.

Foden, making use of the last defender, curled the ball into space and Harry Kane netted his first goal of the tournament with a blistering half-volley.

England eased through the second-half

In truth, the result was sealed with the right-footed strike from England's captain, but England were professional in their second-half work.

Southgate was able to make several substitutions to rest players ahead of the aforementioned clash with the defending World Champions.

Yet, Bukayo Saka was able to add a third goal in the early stages of the half.

Foden combined well with Kane and Luke Shaw, playing some breathtaking football, and he simply slid the ball across the box to the Arsenal winger.

Saka chipped the ball over Mendy and completed the rout, ensuring England would make the last eight for the second successive World Cup.