Rash: Moments like this are why I play football!
UNITED ACE DEDICATES GOALS TO PAL WHO LOST CANCER BATTLE
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.
The United forward hit a stupendous free-kick and ended a mazy run by finishing through back-up goalkeeper Danny Ward’s legs after City’s Phil Foden had doubled England’s lead in what proved to be a 3-0 stroll against their British rivals in Al Rayyan.
“Moments like this, this is what I play football for,” said Rashford.
“The biggest moments, the best moments. I’m really happy, I’m happy we’re going through to the next round.”
And Rashford revealed why he pointed to the sky after scoring.
“I lost one of my friends a couple of days ago,” he said.
“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.”
Now the Reds ace believes the win can give England momentum heading into the knockout stages.
“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,” he said.
“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.
“In the 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.
“We wanted to work the keeper more and get into dangerous positions, which I thought we were doing in the first half and in the second half we made them count.”
On his free-kick opener, Rashford - who is now joint leading scorer in the tournament with three – 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.”
Rashford, making his first England start since June 2021, and Foden have now both strongly pushed their case to start in Sunday’s clash against Senegal, and have given boss Gareth Southgate a big selection dilemma.
“It’s great for Marcus. He’s trained really well, I have to say,” said the Three Lions manager.
“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 free-kick, that is what he’s capable of, it’s an incredible strike really.
“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.”
Speaking about his side’s overall display, Southgate added: “I thought in the first half, we really controlled the game but we didn’t create enough clear chances.
“We wanted a little bit more thrust and threat in that final third, play forward a little bit quicker.
“Second half, once we got the two goals, we knew that their spirit was probably gone.
“It’s been a tough tournament for them.
“I thought we kept our discipline and quality right the way to the end.”