Opinion
It was mission impossible for Wales coming into their final Group B game at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on the outskirts of Doha, but they made a good fist of it against a much-changed England line-up.
With the first of the day’s games finishing at 8pm, it was a rush for many fans to get to the Mall of Qatar, and there were scenes of despair as the late-arriving crowd was filtered to the secondary entrance a good half-mile from the stadium with only minutes until kick-off. In the end England were too good for Wales, who quite rightly bowed out of the World Cup in the group stages.
England fans were in their usual form, one unfortunate volunteer having ‘nonce’ screamed him for no reason at all as the crowd filtered through the security area and into the stadium. Of course this was the exception to the rule; the overwhelming majority of fans were simply in good spirits from a day at Souq Waqif or in the hotel bar. There was plenty of ribbing of the Welsh fans and their expected departure from the tournament, the Welsh fans taking it in good humour.
Danny Ward continued where he left off in goal for Wales, having come on to concede two late goals against Iran through no fault of his own. There were starts for Joe Allen and Daniel James. England rested Kieran Trippier, with Kyle Walker coming in. Jordan Henderson started and Marcus Rashford came in to start on the left with Luke Shaw.
(Photo by Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Rousing anthems from both sets of fans were well received, the Wales fans taking up half of the bottom tier of one end, while the England fans had a huge bank at the other end, with an unprecedented number of St George flags draped over the fence at the front. The Welsh fans sang “We know who we are, sheep-shagging bastards, we know who we are.” This was an evening they would go out with a side dish of black humour.
The opening exchanges were scrappy. England were set up to attack, Wales had a conservative line-up with Kieffer Moore as their lone attacker. and Phil Foden gave us the first chance from an early free kick, firing Shaw’s cross wide. Danny Ward sprayed a ball straight out of play to groans from the crowd.
Harry Maguire was slowing everything down, as was the case in the previous game against Iran. Neco Williams took a big hit to the head and was later substituted, the new concussion sub rule coming into play. God Save The King filled the stoppage in play, and on the half-hour “you’re going home in the morning” echoed around the stadium as the England fans reminded their opponents of exactly the predicament they were in.
Harry Maguire then showed us why he’s a defender, twice making a foray deep into the Wales half, first blasting his cross out for a throw-in, then completely misjudging a simple ball. Jude Bellingham almost finished off a flowing move, blasting over the bar, then Rashford tried the spectacular overhead kick which went harmlessly wide.
The wild-armed running style of Foden conjured up a chance, but Rashford’s cross yielded nothing but a corner. John Stones had Danny Ward worried with a header at the far post, and he plucked the ball out of the air under pressure.
The half ended with Daniel James cutting in from the right and unleashing a shot from the edge of the area with his left foot, the ball whistling over to signal the end of the additional five minutes of stoppage time. Chesney Hawkes serenaded us at half-time with his one and only hit from years gone by, with everyone in the crowd nudging each other and asking if it was really him.
The second half was three minutes old when the Welsh finally succumbed. Foden’s dazzling run was halted on the edge of the area for a free kick in a dangerous area. Rashford stepped up and curled the ball into the net – not exactly a postage stamp, but it was an impressive finish. Free From Desire accompanied the goal, and the celebrations were long, the score having come in front of the England fans.
More was to come two minutes later. Rashford hassled down the right, Harry Kane stole the ball and played the perfect pass across the face of the goal for the unmarked Foden to place a shot past Ward. It was another quick-fire double for Ward, and the England fans lapped up the sudden domination and gave it to the Welsh fans again.
The Welsh responded with two efforts in quick succession, Daniel James recycling an overhit cross to bend a shot around Jordan Pickford but firing just wide before Moore let rip from a speculator distance that Pickford followed closely and pushed wide.
A number of substitutions showed just how much England were enjoying this ride. Kane came off for Callum Wilson, and Kyle Walker and Damien Rice were also rested as England looked to the Round of 16.
Stoppages in play broke the momentum, Shaw making way for Kieran Trippier, and the fans took their turn in providing the entertainment, the Welsh hymn book out, while England gave us Jingle Bells.
Marcus Rashford then broke through onto a long ball by Kalvin Phillips and took his time to step inside and finish low past the unfortunate Ward, again left on his backside as the England fans celebrated behind him. This was vintage England, taking their time and picking out arcing runs with direct passes as the fans bayed for more. Wilson then unselfishly laid off to Rashford, with Ward pushing his shot wide.
Substitute Brennan Johnson was at least providing some direct running for the Welsh, first turning Trippier inside out and then firing in a shot that was cleared for a throw-in. Moore continued to plough his lonely furrow up front, winning every header but having little in the way of support. The game was well and truly over as a contest by now and it was a question of just how many goals England wanted to give their fans. Rashford made way for Jack Grealish, suggesting that goals perhaps weren’t the top priority.
Daniel James made way for Harry Wilson, and the next England move saw Jude Bellingham released after a mistake. His shot was saved, and Foden swung at the ball but couldn’t help it into the empty net. England were making this a torrid last 15 minutes for Wales, who also lost Joe Allen after taking a knock. Grealish and Rashford tried to unlock their opponents’ defence, but it was all too rushed.
When Maguire was adjudged to have brought down Moore, a free kick was awarded centrally a long way out. Wilson shot straight into the wall to typify Wales’ performance tonight. Substitute Rubin Colwill blazed over from the edge of the area, the England fans coming back to life to roar their team through the final moments of the game.
The excellent Moore found himself well placed late in the game, his attempt high and wide prompting the England fans to sing “that’s why you’re going home” – never a truer word spoken. Wilson’s persistence teased a late corner for England, Maguire headed back across goal and Stones leant back and pumped the ball way into the England fans instead of the gaping goal. No doubt he will receive some ribbing from his teammates for that one.
The England fans were in fine voice as the game drew to its conclusion after four minutes of stoppage time, and the match ended with England spurning a great chance for four, Grealish having danced into the box.
After a first half that gave little indication of what was to come, the second half was an absolute procession, and England thoroughly deserved their passage into the knockout stages. Sweet Caroline accompanied the players as they applauded the fans – this was good, and the English media will be lenient this evening.
There were marvellous scenes at the end as the Wales fans sang to their team, a poignant goodbye to their World Cup adventure.
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