Marcus Rashford has dedicated the celebration of his first goal in England’s three-goal victory over Wales to a close friend who recently passed away from cancer.
Manchester United striker Rashford bagged a brace for the Three Lions with Phil Foden also on target. The 25-year-old opened the scoring for Gareth Southgate’s after the break with a swerving free-kick that deceived opposition goalkeeper Danny Ward.
That had followed a drab opening half with few clear-cut opportunities for either side, although Rashford had the best opportunity as he had broken through one-on-one with Ward following a threaded Harry Kane pass, only to be denied by the Leicester shot-stopper.
But it was Rashford’s moment of class from a set-piece that broke the Wales resistance just moments after half-time with his long-range effort. Minutes later, Manchester City star Foden doubled the England advantage with a close-range finish from Kane’s low delivery into the area.
Rashford’s opening goal had prompted the emotional goal celebration, which saw him sink to his knees on the turf before pointing towards the sky with both hands. After the game, the United frontman revealed it was a tribute to a friend - named as Garfield Hayward, who had recently died from cancer.
Rashford explained to reporters: “I lost one of my friends a couple of days ago. He had quite a long battle with cancer. I’m pleased I scored for him, he was a big supporter and good friend of mine. He was someone who came into my life.”
Have Your Say! Will England progress past Senegal in the Round of 16? Tell us what you think here.
Rashford and England were not finished then either, the 25-year-old grabbing his second of the game and third of the tournament – having previously scored as a substitute in the opening game 6-2 win over Iran – to take the game beyond Wales and ensure the Three Lions topped their group. Rashford's second strike was the 100th goal that England had scored at the World Cup finals.
Rashford took to Twitter after the game to post his second goal celebration, as he jumped for joy, surrounded by his England teammates, alongside the captain: “Last 16 here we come.”
Speaking to BBC Sport after the game, Rashford said of England's win: "It's obviously a great feeling. We were disappointed as a team after the last game, we could have played a lot better. The only way to bounce back is to play better in your next game."
The striker added: "Moments like this, this is what I play football for. I am really happy today to be going into the next round of the tournament, because I have massive ambition for this team and I think we can go a lot further."
Speaking of his free-kick goal which opened the scoring and eventually sparked England's victory, Rashford said: "I fancied one in the first half, but the one in the second was in a better position. Then it's being calm and executing what you do in training."
Rashford's England teammate Jude Bellingham was also full of praise for the striker after the game, and particularly his free-kick opener: "The free kick, in a game like this there is big pressure, the way he delivered was brilliant," said the Borussia Dortmund ace.
England boss Southgate said of Rashford after the match: "It's great for him, he has trained really well. He has been impressive since he came back to us, he could have had a hat-trick. That free kick is what he is capable, it's an incredible strike.
"In moments I thought both of them [Rashford and Foden] were quiet in the first half, so we switched wings. They responded well, for both to get goals was great."
England will now play African champions Senegal – who finished as runners-up in Group A after beating Ecuador earlier on Tuesday – in the Round of 16 clash on Sunday evening. Group B runners-up USA will take on the Netherlands, after the North American side saw off Iran 1-0 on Tuesday.
