3:0 against Senegal

England’s “Three Lions” clinch quarter-final place

(Bild: Associated Press)

England have lived up to their role as favorites in their World Cup quarter-final against Senegal! The Three Lions won 3-0 at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor on Sunday thanks to goals from Jordan Henderson (38'), captain Harry Kane (45+3) and Bukayo Saka (57'). The European runners-up thus remained unbeaten in their 21st clash with an African team and will face France in the quarter-finals on Saturday. The defending champions defeated Poland 3:1. 

Kane ended his goal drought at the best time in front of 65,985 spectators. The 2018 World Cup top scorer scored for the eleventh time (7 World Cup, 4 European Championship) at a major event, making him England's sole number one. The 29-year-old Tottenham striker had previously shared the record with Gary Lineker. After his brace against Iran, Saka scored for the third time in the tournament and is now second in the scoring charts behind Kylian Mbappe (5) and several other players, including his compatriot Marcus Rashford.

(Bild: Associated Press)

England, coached by Gareth Southgate, had to do without striker Raheem Sterling for "family reasons". Phil Foden replaced him on the left side of the attack, with Kane and Saka playing alongside him. Three-time Qatar World Cup goalscorer Rashford, on the other hand, was only on the bench. Senegal made two changes from their 2-1 win over Ecuador in the last group game. In midfield, Nampalys Mendy from Leicester City and Krépin Diatta from AS Monaco came into the team for the suspended Idrissa Gueye and Pape Gueye.

(Bild: AFP)

From the start, the underdogs were only concerned with keeping things tight at the back. The English side allowed the ball to flow through their own ranks, but were initially unable to capitalize on this. A decisive deep pass or finish was completely absent for a long time. At the other end, Ismaila Sarr almost scored out of nothing, but shot over (22'). Ten minutes later, Boulaye Dia failed to beat England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford after an assist from Sarr.

(Bild: Associated Press)

It was the Africans' best phase as they suddenly had more confidence, which ultimately backfired. England's first fine move led to immediate success. As so often, they combined up the left and, after a pass from the outstanding Jude Bellingham, Henderson finished in the middle from around eleven meters. This got the favorites' attacking work going. Kane failed to hit the ball properly after Saka's cross (41') and Luke Shaw hesitated too long before finishing (43').

Nevertheless, a counter-attack brought about the preliminary decision before the break. Bellingham won the ball in his own half, fed Foden and this time Kane finished safely from the best position. Before the third goal, Foden again had his legs in the game. This time he passed the ball into the middle to Saka, who also scored with a cool finish.

(Bild: AFP)

Senegal were unable to add to their tally, and there was not even a chance of a follow-up goal. It was clear that superstar Sadio Mane, who had been injured before the final round, was missing. As a result, the African champions failed to advance to the last eight again 20 years after reaching the quarter-finals of the World Cup after losing 2-0 to the Netherlands and defeating hosts Qatar (3-1) and Ecuador (2-1) in the group stage.

(Bild: Associated Press)

England, on the other hand, are still going according to plan, with a goal difference of 12:2 after three wins and a draw. If they want to get at least as far as they did in 2018, when they finished fourth, they will have to get Mbappe and Co. out of the way. A mammoth task ...

(Bild: Associated Press)

The result:
England - Senegal 3:0 (2:0)
Al Khor, Al Bayt Stadium, 68,985 spectators, referee Ivan Barton/SAL

Goals: 1:0 (38') Henderson, 2:0 (45.+3) Kane, 3:0 (57') Saka

Yellow card: Koulibaly

England: Pickford - Walker, Stones (77. Dier), Maguire, Shaw - Rice - Henderson (82. Phillips), Bellingham (76. Mount) - Saka (65. Rashford), Kane, Foden (65. Grealish)
Senegal: E. Mendy - Sabaly, Koulibaly, A. Diallo, Jakobs (84. Ballo) - Diatta (46. P. Sarr), Ciss (46. Gueye), N. Mendy, I. Sarr - Ndiaye (46. Dieng), Dia (72. Diedhiou)