It’s not meant to be like this. Comfortably through in a knockout game, plenty of goals in the bank, minimal fuss at the back. Who are this team and what have they done with England?
The Three Lions march onto a monster meeting with reigning champions France in the quarter final courtesy of a dominant 3-0 win over Senegal, displaying a rarely-seen level of composure and confidence in the process.
Not since a win over Denmark by the same scoreline in 2002 have they looked so comfortable in a World Cup knockout tie.
Though they took a while to get going, once the Three Lions reached top speed they were unstoppable. Goals from Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka took them to 12 for the tournament – with, amazingly, eight different scorers.
Senegal are the African champions and, for most the first half, looked more than worthy adversaries. They troubled England with their high press and forced a near-stoppage as Gareth Southgate’s men slowed the game to walking pace.
Just as the underdogs were getting on top, however, they were brutally reminded of the quality in this England side by a one-two punch from Henderson and Kane, with Jude Bellingham central to both. Of all the talents in this side, Bellingham’s shone brightest again, and he is just 19 years of age.
“Our best opportunities came from winning the ball from them, and Jude and Hendo were outstanding in that aspect of the game,” said Southgate.
“They’re both forward-thinking midfield players. Hendo doesn’t get many for us, but he’s been outstanding. He’s such a leader, he knits the team together, around the camp he’s brilliant, and his performances have been top drawer for us.
“It was important for Harry Kane and for us for him to score. We’ve got some super young players, and it’s been right to give them their head and their opportunity. These games are brilliant life experience for them. Their progress is phenomenal. The team have made a very complicated game tonight look straightforward.”
There had been suspicions that Southgate would revert to type in the knockout stages, opting for conservatism over flair. After Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford stole the show in the win over Wales, much of the public clamour was for both to feature ahead of Raheem Sterling and Bukayo Saka.
Instead, Southgate split the difference, aided by a late withdrawal by Sterling on personal grounds – later revealed to be a terrifying incident where armed robbers broke into his Surrey home. Foden was in on the left with Saka returned to the side on the right, while Henderson kept his spot in midfield ahead of Mason Mount.
Initially at least, it seemed like Southgate’s plan had backfired. England were expected to take the initiative, but their ability to draw the line between control and inactivity was obvious.
For 20 minutes, they had most of the ball and, seemingly deliberately, did nothing with it. At times, the centre back pairing of John Stones and Harry Maguire stood, motionless, in possession with Senegal in their block.
They invited jeopardy on themselves. Maguire gave the ball away in build-up and Ismaila Sarr fired over when he might have done better. After another high turnover, Boulaye Dia did do better, but Jordan Pickford was the equal of it with a superb stop.
Then, from nothing, England remembered how to pass forwards. Kane, as if now characteristic, dropped deep and spun in possession. He found Bellingham breaking the lines, and the teenage midfielder was able to pick out Henderson to sweep home.
It was a superb goal, and utterly out of keeping with England’s play to that point.
Suddenly they were everywhere. Saka sashayed down the right and crossed, but it reached Kane just behind him and the striker scooped over.
The second came swiftly afterwards. Bellingham, again, was the star: he won the ball from Pathe Ciss, and, with Senegal well up the field, was able to carry to halfway.
He moved it on to Foden, who held just long enough to draw the final defender before slipping Kane in to do the rest. It was, again, an excellent goal, and a brutal reminder of what England are capable of when given space.
The second half, understandably, was something of a non-event. Saka added another superlative team goal for the third, flicking a Foden cross beyond Ferland Mendy, but beyond that, action was at a premium.
England specialise in killing football matches, with pace on the break and solidity at the back. Only a Pape Sarr free kick which ruffled the side netting came close to getting Senegal on the board.
England rang the changes, with one eye on France, and sat in comfortable possession – again, perhaps preparing for tougher tests to come.
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