Rashford in dreamland as brace sends England through
Wales sent crashing out as Three Lions get set for Senegal clash
MARCUS RASHFORD revelled in creating two of “the biggest moments, the best moments” in England’s World Cup victory over Wales as his brace secured a last- 16 showdown with Senegal – and now he is hungry for more.
Rashford hit a stupendous freekick and ended a mazy run by finishing through back- up goalkeeper Danny Ward’s legs after Phil Foden had doubled England’s lead in what proved to be a 3- 0 stroll against their British rivals in Al Rayyan.
The Three Lions will now meet Senegal in the round of 16 on Sunday.
The forward told BBC One: “Moments like this, this is what I play football for. The biggest moments, the best moments.
“I’m really happy today, I’m happy that we’re going through to the next round.
“Hopefully we can build on this performance because I have massive ambitions for this team and I think we can play even better than we showed today.
“It’s obviously a great feeling.
“We were a little bit disappointed as a team after the last game against the USA [ Friday’s goalless draw].
“I thought we could have played a lot better and the only way to bounce back from that is to have a good performance in your next game and I think we did that.
“First half, we defended brilliantly, we didn’t really give them any opportunities.
“And it was just about us killing the game off and taking the chances when they came.”
On his free- kick opener, Rashford added: “I fancied one in the first half but the one in the second half was in a better position.
“And from there, it’s just about being calm and trying to execute what you practice in training.
“They don’t go in often but I’m pleased that it went in today.”
Speaking about Rashford, Southgate told BBC One: “It’s great
for him. He’s trained really well, I have to say.
“He’s really been impressive since he came back in with us. He could have had a hat- trick really, the chance in the first half, the one at the near post in the second. The freekick, that is what he’s capable of, it’s an incredible strike really.”
The defeat brought Wales’ first appearance at a World Cup since 1958 to a close but Rob Page said the players could be proud of their efforts, despite only picking up a solitary point in Qatar.
The Welsh held on during the first half against England and went in level at the break, and their manager believes his team can take heart from their performance.
“I thought we were outstanding in the first half, I really did,” the Wales
manager told the BBC. “The effort they put in without the ball was exceptional. We addressed it at half time and said we could’ve been a little bit better but I won’t hear a bad word said about those players – they have given it everything today.
“The first goal was a wonderful strike, the second one disappointed me a little bit but I don’t want to talk about negatives today. The boys have put a shift in. We are disappointed to be leaving the tournament but if you’re going to go out, that’s the way, that first half performance again, was excellent.
“My message is don’t be disappointed. We’ve got to build for the future now. We got to a World Cup and that was an unbelievable achievement for that group of players.”