FIFA World Cup 2022: Kane shines, Saka winner goal England cruise past Senegal 3-0 in Last 16, Setup Quarters with France.
- With a convincing 3-0 victory over Senegal, England advanced to the quarterfinals against the reigning champions France. Harry Kane scored his first World Cup goal in the match, and Jordan Henderson, Phil Foden, and Jude Bellingham all displayed brilliance.
The European Championship runners-up finished top of their group, sandwiching a 0-0 draw against the United States with a pair of victories against Iran and Wales.
In their first-ever meeting, the Three Lions struggled to keep up with Senegal's quick forwards. Only a superb one-handed save by Jordan Pickford prevented Senegal from taking an unexpected lead through Boulaye Dia.
However, Henderson calmed England's nerves by stroking the ball home in the 38th minute after Bellingham had played him in at the end of a beautiful passing play.
With the final kick of the first half, Kane unleashed a fierce shot past Edouard Mendy, cutting his deficit to Wayne Rooney's record of 53 goals for England to one. In the 57th minute, Bukayo Saka added a third goal to England's goal-scoring spree in Qatar with a deft chip over Mendy following a cross from Foden.
England now have a World Cup quarter-final against holders France to look forward to on Saturday December 10.
Kick-off at the Al-Bayt Stadium will be at 7pm.
World Cup 2022 Fantasy football: England 3-0 Senegal, Player ratings.
England: Pickford 8, Stones 7, Maguire 7, Shaw 7, Henderson 8, Rice 7, Bellingham 9, Foden 8, Saka 8, Kane 8
Subs: Dier 6, Rashford 6, Phillips 6, Mount 6, Grealish 6
Senegal: Mendy 5, Jakobs 6, Diallo 6, Koulibaly 6, Sabaly 6, Ciss 6, Mendy 6, Sarr 6, Ndiaye 6, Diatta 6, Dia 6
Subs: Pape Gueye 6, Matar Sarr 6, Diedhiou 6, Bamba Dieng 6, Ballo-Toure N/A
Player of the match: Jude Bellingham.
Opta Key Stats.
England have reached the quarter-final of the World Cup for a 10th time, reaching this stage twice each under Walter Winterbottom (1954 and 1962), Alf Ramsey (1966 and 1970), Bobby Robson (1986 and 1990), Sven-Göran Eriksson (2002 and 2006) and Gareth Southgate (2018 and 2022).
England have scored 12 goals in four matches at this year's World Cup, the Three Lions' joint-most at a single major tournament (World Cup and Euros), level with their 12 goals at the 2018 World Cup.
Senegal conceded three goals in a single World Cup match for only a second time, after their 3-3 draw with Uruguay in the 2002 group stage. This was the nation's heaviest ever major tournament defeat (World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations).
England have matched their best goalscoring tally at a major tournament with 12.
Quarter-finals - Saturday December 10
England vs France - Kick-off 7pm
Semi-finals - Wednesday December 14
England vs Morocco/Spain/Portugal/Switzerland - Kick-off 7pm
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