REJUVENATED RASHFORD FIRES ENGLAND INTO KNOCKOUT STAGES

After a quiet first half, a Marcus Rashford brace and a Phil Foden tap-in ensure England finished top of Group B. The game finished 3-0 in a heartbreaking loss for Wales whose first World Cup in 64 years was cut short.

In a must win game for Wales, the pressure was truly on. With only one point in the group and a trip back home looking more and more likely, Gareth Bale & co needed to shock the world. Jordan Henderson and Kyle Walker made their first start of the campaign, additionally, Phil Foden was put back in the starting 11 after a rest against USA.

In the first 45 minutes, it looks as though we were about to witness another dull game, similar to the fixture versus USA; but in the second half, England got into gear and sent Wales packing.

Marcus Rashford scored the opener with an incredible free kick into the top right corner, Foden quickly followed with a goal, thanks to a precise assist from Harry Kane. Marcus Rashford sealed the deal with his 2nd of the game and 3rd of the campaign, gliding past the Welsh backline and smashing the ball toward goal.

Quiet first half

At half-time, the final game of the Group stage was goalless, England had all of the ball but weren’t able to convert. Gareth Southgate’s side have shown good glimpses, with the main chance coming to Rashford.

Harry Kane unlocked the Wales defence with a perfectly weighted through ball, allowing Rashford to run in behind. Luckily for Wales, Danny Ward raced off of his line quickly to pressure Rashford and managed to deny the United man from breaking the deadlock.

Rashford was on the ball a lot in the first half and shortly after being denied by Ward, he attempted a shot from distance to catch the Welsh goalkeeper out. Neco Williams put his body on the line to block the shot, however, his commitment came with a price to pay. The powerful strike thumped into Neco Williams head, causing him to be substituted for Connor Roberts due to concussion protocol.

Williams wasn’t the only key player to leave the pitch early; main man Gareth Bale was also brought off at half-time for Brennan Johnson. Bale only made one pass in the first half and there was also a suspicion that he was injured.

Wales had 197 touches in the first half, none of which have been in England’s box, they were playing very defensively. It seemed like they were hoping for a late chance to snatch 3 points rather than going for the all-out attack approach. However, in the second half, they will have to as the current score in the other game is USA 1-0 Iran. England were leading by goal difference, leaving Wales at the bottom of the group, so they’ll have to bring out all the stops in the second 45 if they want to progress to the knockout stages.

Rashford free kick breaks the deadlock

Marcus Rashford got the game up and running with a goal and what a goal it was! Phil Foden won a free kick on the edge of the box and Rashford’s eyes lit up instantly. He put himself forward for the free kick ahead of Harry Kane and Luke Shaw, stepped up, and smashed the ball into the far corner.

Ward assumed he would try and go up and over the wall but he did the total opposite; the Man United striker is back enjoying his football, scoring an excellent goal in the most vital of moments. England fans had to wait 50 minutes for their side to score a goal, but with a strike like that, it was well worth the wait.

Foden doubles the lead

Phil Foden doubled the Three Lions’ advantage moments later, an eager Rashford hunted down Ben Davies and dispossessed him by nudging the ball to Kane. England’s transformed playmaker drilled the box across the box, putting it on a plate for Foden who easily tapped the ball in.

The Manchester boys were running riot in the second half, one red and one blue, with two goals in as many minutes. This goal was Phil Foden first ever in a World Cup, most likely the first of many.

Majestic Marcus gets his brace

Rashford added a third to the score line to put the result beyond doubt, although, some of the credit must go to his 10 teammates who all contributed to this beautiful team goal. It started at the back before substitute Kalvin Phillips played an exquisite pass through to Rashford.

England’s number 11 danced past Roberts and leathered it at Ward; the shot was too powerful for the Welsh keeper to prevent going through him and into the back of the net. England fans in the stadium and at home erupted as they all watched the confidence surge back into Marcus Rashford. England’s 100th-ever World Cup goal; no one else deserved it more than Rashford.

Three Lions are through

With that emphatic victory, England topped Group B and sail smoothly into the round of 16. On the other hand, Wales crashed out of the 2022 World Cup sitting at the bottom of the table with only 1 point from their draw vs USA on matchday 1. A disappointing campaign for Wales after 64 years away from the tournament.

Marcus Rashford was the big difference in this game, growing more and more every game into the Marcus Rashford we remember: full of confidence and freedom. Phil Foden's goal contribution was also key in defeating this Welsh side. A player that didn’t get his name on the scoresheet today but once again played brilliantly was Jude Bellingham, his involvement in an England shirt has only just begun but he’s made an instant impact.

The next game for Southgate’s squad is against Senegal on Sunday, should they be victorious in this round of 16 match they will go on to face the Group D winner or Group C runner-up in the quarter-finals. There’s a long way to go, but the tune of “Three Lions” is echoing around the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium as the hope of football finally coming home increases.

What's Next?

Next Match Report = England vs Senegal

Sunday 4th December 7pm

Wales - (4-3-3) Ward, Davies (Morrell 59’), Rodon, Mepham, Williams (Roberts 36’), Allen (Colwill 81’), Ampadu, Ramsey, James (Wilson 77’), Bale (Johnson 45’), Moore

Scorers - N/A

Bookings - James (30’), Ramsey (61’)

England - (4-3-3) Pickford, Shaw (Tripper 65’), Maguire, Stones, Walker (Alexander-Arnold 57’), Bellingham, Rice (Phillips 58’), Henderson, Rashford (Grealish 75’), Foden, Kane (Wilson 57’)

Scorers – Marcus Rashford (50’, 68’), Phil Foden (51’)

Bookings – N/A

Referee: Slavko Vincic

Attendance: 44,297

POTM: Marcus Rashford

Written by Isabelle Newnham