England secured their spot in the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup with a 3-0 victory over African champions Senegal on Sunday night.
2022 FIFA World Cup
Result: England 3-0 Senegal
Date: 04 December 2022
Venue: Al Bayt Stadium
Raheem Sterling was not included in the squad as he was dealing with a personal matter. As a result, Gareth Southgate handed a start to Phil Foden as Marcus Rashford dropped to the bench.
The game's first opening arrived after 21 minutes when Foden's corner found the head of defender John Stones, who sent his header over the crossbar.
The Lions of Teranga had a couple openings of their own as Ismaila Sarr blasted over from close range, before England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was call upon to keep out Boulaye Dia's strike.
The Three Lions got the breakthrough on 38 minutes through Jordan Henderson with a composed finish after some great work by Jude Bellingham in the build-up.
The lead was doubled a few minutes later when Foden turned provider to play in Harry Kane, who fired a low strike past Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy.
Senegal coach Aliou Cisse responded with a triple change at the start of the second half, as Papa Gueye, Bamba Dieng and Pape Sarr made their way onto the park.
However, England carried that momentum into the stanza and went on to bag a third goal just before the hour mark. Foden did well to pick up a loose ball and pick out Bukayo Saka, who fired home from close range.
That proved to be Foden's final involvement in the game, as the England winger made way for Jack Grealish while Rashford came on for the influential Foden for the final 30 minutes.
Senegal looked to grab a consolation goal late on when Ismail Jakobs sent an inviting cross into the box that found Famara Diedhiou, who directed his header over the crossbar.
Southgate's charges managed to see out the rest of the game to secure the win and another clean sheet, which sets up a quarter-final tie against reigning champions France.
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