RashfoRd unstoppable as england fly into last 16
Star forward blew a hole in Wales’ defence and scored England’s 100th World Cup goal; The Three Lions will play Senegal in the Round of 16
MARCUS Rashford scored a brace and Phil Foden the other as England trounced Wales 3-0 on Tuesday to secure first place in World Cup Group B and a last-16 berth along with the United States who edged Iran 1-0 in the other game.
Rashford curled home a free-kick in the 50th, won the ball two minutes later which led to Foden’s goal, and then got the third himself again in the 68th minute.
Both players had been among four new England starters after their impressive opening 6-2 against Iran was followed by a meagre 0-0 draw with the US.
It’s a great feeling. Moments like this, this is what I play football for. I’m happy we are going through to the next round of the tournament because I have massive ambitions for this team and I think we can play even better than we did today. Marcus Rashford
“It’s a great feeling,” Rashford told the BBC. “Moments like this, this is what I play football for. I’m happy we are going through to the next round of the tournament because I have massive ambitions for this team and I think we can play even better than we did today.”
Euro 2020 runners-up England finished top of the group and now face Group A runners-up Senegal in the last 16 on Sunday.
The US will play Group A winners Netherlands on Saturday after leapfrogging Iran from Christian Pulisic’s 38th minute winner.
In the British duel, Rashford and Foden had the biggest opportunities before the break and then put England on course shortly after the restart which took place without substituted Wales star Gareth Bale.
Manchester United’s Rashford superbly curled a free-kick into the top right corner in the 50th, and then won the ball deep in the Welsh half, fed captain Harry Kane whose pass across the
goalmouth was met by Manchester City’s Foden at the far post for 2-0. Wales, having lost the last six games against England since a 1984 win, tried to fight back as Dan James curled wide and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford needed to save a shot from Johnson that took a big deflection off Harry Maguire. But it was all over in the 68th when Rashford took up Kalvin Phillips’ long ball, ran into the area, beat a defender, and netted through Ward’s legs.
“We were a little bit disappointed after the USA result. Thought we could’ve played a lot better. and it was important to have a good performance the next game. We defended brilliantly in the first half and it was just about killing the game off early and taking the chances in the game,” Rashford said.
Wales manager Robert Page said: “We’re disappointed to leave the tournament but, if we’re going to go out, that’s the way to go out.
My message is don’t be disappointed. We’ve got to build for the future again now.”
England Manager Gareth Southgate made four changes to his team that performed so poorly against USA, Rashford, Foden, Jordan Henderson and fit-again Kyle Walker coming in for Raheem Sterling, Bukayo
Saka, Mason Mount and Kieran Trippier.
It not only helped England run out easy winners but gave squad members valuable game time, especially Walker, who is such an important part of Southgate’s plans but missed the end of the Premier League to undergo groin surgery.
England and Southgate have achieved their first priority of qualifying for the last 16 while topping their group, two strong wins against Iran and Wales coming either side of that dismal USA showing.