England put on a mammoth World Cup quarter-final against holders France on Sunday, as Jude Bellingham’s masterclass inspired a 3-0 victory against Senegal in the last 16 on Sunday. Gareth Southgate’s side survived a nervous start at Al Bayt Stadium before Jordan Henderson and Harry Kane took Senegal over the line with a pair of clinical finishes before the break. Bukayo Saka scored England’s third, but it was Bellingham’s prodigious work rate and burgeoning quality in possession that allowed them to turn the tide. Bellingham set up Henderson’s opener and the Borussia Dortmund midfielder was involved again as England captain Kane scored his first goal in this World Cup.
Kane has now scored 11 goals in major tournaments, overtaking Gary Lineker as England’s all-time top goalscorer in those competitions.
But at the tender age of 19, it is Bellingham who has emerged as England’s driving force.
He is the first teenager to assist in a World Cup knockout match since 1966, having already heralded his arrival on the world stage by scoring his first goal for England in Iran’s 6-2 defeat in their group opener.
Just two years after playing in England’s second tier with Birmingham, the precocious Bellingham was utterly unfazed against Senegal in the biggest game of his life.
England will need another commando performance from Bellingham if they want to extend their stay in Qatar beyond the last eight.
Aiming for a third consecutive semi-final at major tournaments, England will return to the Al Khor desert on Saturday to take on the red-hot Kylian Mbappé and company after France swept Poland 3-1 aside on Sunday.
England, runners-up at Euro 2020, have won just one of their last eight encounters with France, which threatens their hopes of winning their first major title in 56 years.
The depth of attacking talent Southgate possesses could be crucial and while defending his decision to drop Marcus Rashford for Saka despite the striker’s double against Wales, he boasted “we are ashamed of wealth in all parts of the field”.
After a difficult opening when they passed too slowly and looked anxiously behind, England struck to show why Southgate has so much confidence in them.
– Shock of adrenaline –
Fueled by the incessant drumming of their lively fans, African champions Senegal initially showed no fear as they tested England’s composure with high press.
Senegal squandered a golden opportunity to take the lead when Harry Maguire gave the ball away and Boulaye Dia’s volley ricocheted off John Stones into the path of Ismaila Sarr, only for the Watford striker to fire over the nets from close range.
Sarr got on England’s nerves tormenting Saka and Dia grabbed the loose ball and forced a good save from Jordan Pickford with a fierce drive.
That turned out to be the turning point when England took the lead in the 38th minute against the normal course of events.
Bellingham sprinted on Harry Kane’s shrewd pass into the Senegalese area and cut a precise notch into the path of Liverpool midfielder Henderson, who led his low blow past Edouard Mendy from 12 yards out.
Henderson’s goal set off an adrenaline rush that swept through England as they doubled their lead seconds before the break.
Bellingham was the catalyst with his well-timed tackle and sharp pass to Foden, whose perfectly weighted dismissal allowed Kane to race clear for a clinical finish.
England sauntered through the second half and as a reward for Southgate’s confidence, Saka put the result beyond doubt in the 57th minute.
Foden made a dynamic run-up to the left and Saka reached his cross to fire a fine effort over Mendy from close range.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by DailyExpertNews staff and is being published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured video of the day
FIFA World Cup: Another FIFA World Cup surprise as Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal lose to South Korea
Topics mentioned in this article
