England eased past Senegal with a 3-0 victory to set up a blockbuster World Cup quarter-final clash against defending champions France.
The Three Lions struggled to get going in the early stages and looked vulnerable at the back, but Jordan Henderson’s goal was a timely one before Harry Kane, Golden Boot winner four years ago, netted his first goal of the tournament just before the break.
Bukayo Saka netted for the third time in Qatar to put England in complete charge and they saw out the remainder of the match with minimal fuss, attention now swiftly turning to the ominous form of Kylian Mbappe.
Gareth Southgate opted to start Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka in wide areas, with the in-form Marcus Rashford on the bench and Raheem Sterling not involved at all due to a “family matter”.
England made a slow start and were fortunate not to fall behind, as Ismaila Sarr lifted over the bar from close range and Boulaye Dia saw his effort denied by a strong hand from Jordan Pickford.
Those misses looked costly, as England burst into life at the end of the half. Kane played the ball through to Jude Bellingham, he cut it back perfectly for Henderson who swept a first-half finish past Edouard Mendy.
And the lead was doubled with the final kick of the half, as England countered ruthlessly. Bellingham again led the charge, finding Foden who played it into Kane’s path and the striker at last got off the mark in Qatar.
Any slim hopes Senegal had of mounting a comeback were effectively ended 12 minutes after the restart. Foden skipped away from the challenges on the left, played the ball into the box and Saka provided a lovely dinked finish to put the result beyond doubt.
England will now meet France on Saturday, December 10, in the last of four quarter-finals.
