SCOUTING REPORT

ALIOU CISSE’S African champions Senegal saved the best for last in Group A and England must be wary of these masters of the tense knockout format. When the pressure intensified and nerves were tested, they stepped up to the plate.

‘We are used to playing in these kind of games,’ said Cisse, who spent four years at Birmingham and Portsmouth. ‘We will rest up and get fit for the next game.’ Senegal are without Sadio Mane, injured on the eve of the tournament, but in the 2-0 win over Ecuador they unleashed their range of attacking talent. Watford’s Ismaila Sarr is maddeningly inconsistent, but his pace and finishing ability can be destructive.

Playing off the left in a 4-3-3 formation, he stepped up to shoulder the responsibility yesterday, winning a penalty and converting it to put his team into the lead.

Boulaye Dia, on loan at Salernitana in Italy from Villarreal in Spain, has become the focal point of the attack in Mane’s absence and scored in the 3-1 win over Qatar. Iliman Ndiaye, in brilliant form for Sheffield United, is a wildcard on the right, with trickery and invention around the penalty area.

The midfield is packed with effort and industry, although they will miss Everton’s Idrissa Gueye, who is banned against England after picking up a second yellow card. Chelsea’s Kalidou Koulibaly features in a solid back four, with Edouard Mendy in goal. The keeper’s form has slipped slightly at Chelsea and he was at fault for the first Netherlands goal, a header by Cody Gakpo, in their first game.

But he has a big-game mentality and was the hero of their Africa Cup of Nations triumph.