This is the first time that England and Senegal have met in an international match. But the ‘first’ encounter was memorable for both teams as it was in the last sixteen of the World Cup. England will remember the match as the stage for their World Cup quarter-final trip to Qatar, while for Senegal it will be a painful memory for a long time to come. Despite promising a great fight they could not repeat their dream run to the last eight twenty years ago. Harry Kane’s England made it to the quarter-finals by beating Senegal 3-0 at the Al Bayt Stadium. England’s opponents in the last eight are current champions France.
England has been able to play a lot of stress-free football today. Senegal showed signs of a good fight early in the match. Goal opportunities were created two-one. The African team could have gone ahead in 23 minutes. But they paid the price of not being able to use the opportunity. In the 38th minute, Jordan Henderson led England by scoring against the trend of the game. The second goal came from an excellent counter-attack by England—from the feet of Harry Kane. The English, who led 2-0 in the first half, confirmed the victory in the 57th minute of the match with the goal of Bukoyo Saka.
Judd Bellingham to Phil Foden-Six goals for England in the first round. Henderson and Harry Kane were not named in those six. With Henderson, England’s goal scorer stood at seven. Kane’s wait was over after 10 minutes. He is England’s eighth.
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Henderson’s goal was part of an excellent team effort. Down in their own half, Cain measured a pass to Bellingham. Entering the Senegalese box from the left side, the young midfielder passed to Aguan Henderson. The Liverpool star became England’s second-oldest goalscorer in the World Cup after scoring from that pass. Only Tom Feeney, aged 36 years 64 days against the Soviet Union in 1958, scored a goal at an older age than Henderson, who was 32 years 170 days. And Henderson’s goal gave Bellingham the record for England’s youngest goal assist (19 years 158 days).
Senegal conceded another goal in added time before the break. Bellingham made a fool of the Senegalese in a momentary counter-attack and went ahead with the ball. Dunn extended the pass to Phil Foden. He extended it to Cain, who was almost unguarded on the right wing. Kane did the rest by entering the box. The English went to the break with a 2-0 goal lead.
England got the third goal in the 57th minute after leading 2-0 at the end of the first half. This time again the source of the goal is Foden. Foden’s shot from the left flank found Bukayo Saka in front of Senegal’s post. The Arsenal forward scored his third goal of the World Cup by making Mendy a spectator.
Before the first goal, the Senegalese kept the English under pressure. The team also had a good chance to score in the 23rd and 32nd minutes. Harry Maguire’s mistake gets Senegal the first chance to play World Cup without Sadio Mane. Crepin Diatta snatched the ball and headed the cross into the penalty box. Ismailia Sar got the ball even though Bulaye Diya could not run his feet properly. From six yards out, the Senegal striker lifted the bar and hit it wide.
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England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford thwarted Senegal’s second chance in the 32nd minute. Pickford’s left-handed shot from Dia along the right side of England’s post.
Even after leading 3-0, England attacked the defense of Senegal. On the edge of their attack, it looked as though the English might increase the gap further. Opportunity also came. But the gap did not increase from them. England has reduced the distance from the second world cup title by holding the gap for the rest of the time.
Cain’s three assists in this year’s group stage make his total 7 goals in the World Cup. He scored the highest 6 goals of the season in Russia World Cup.