THREE LIONS SCORE THREE TO CRUISE PAST SENEGAL

England progressed to the quarter-finals after cruising past Senegal in a 3-0 victory. Jordan Henderson opened the scoring; shortly after, Harry Kane doubled the lead before half-time. Bukayo Saka secured the win with his 3rd goal of the tournament.

England fly through to the quarter-finals after a big win against Senegal. A shaky start from Gareth Southgate's side, gifting Senegal an opportunity to go ahead. However, goals from Jordan Henderson and Harry Kane before half-time changed the narrative rather quickly.

Despite not getting his name on the scoresheet, Jude Bellingham had another great game, he was once again England's spark when they needed it most. Bukayo Saka scored the only goal of the second half, but a 3-0 win meant that Senegal went home and England progressed, they face 2018 winners France in the next round.

Strong save from Pickford

Saka gave away possession easily after a poor pass back, Ismaila Sarr claimed the ball although it seemed he’d handled it in the process. Play continued and Sarr cut inside before passing the ball across the edge of the box, he found Dia who blasted a shot toward Jordan Pickford.

The England shot-stopper stretched out an arm to deny Senegal from taking the lead, it was the first big scare for the home side who haven’t shown much threat going forward so far and have been their own worst enemies.

Henderson opens the scoring

A poor start from England but they had their goal. It’s Jude Bellingham again creating the magic to give his team the boost they needed.

Harry Kane received the ball whilst dropping deep and played the ball out to Jude Bellingham on the left-hand side. Bellingham teased the Senegalese defence before cutting the ball back across goal. The ball arrived at the grateful left boot of Jordan Henderson who swept it past Edouard Mendy.

England spent most of the game in their own half, but they led 1-0 after 40 minutes, it was a really clever run from Bellingham to go on and set up Henderson.

Kane gets his first goal of the campaign

Harry Kane finally scored in the 2022 World Cup in the 4th game of the campaign, and what a move it was to double England’s lead. A brilliant counter attack!

Bellingham stole the ball from Ciss before driving forward with purpose, weaving in and out of five Senegalese players gracefully. He played it through to Foden whose first-time pass found Harry Kane.

England’s number 9 found himself all alone with only Edouard Mendy between the ball and the back of the net. His first touch set up the shot perfectly, with time to compose himself and wait for the perfect moment to shoot, the outcome was inevitable.

Despite taking four games to open his World Cup account, when Harry Kane received the ball in a position like that, everyone in the stadium knew what would happen next.

Bukayo Saka makes it three

The young lions were at it again for the third goal of the game. Kane looked to have lost the ball however it fell to Phil Foden who charged down the left wing. He beat two before reaching the by-line and firing the ball across the face of goal.

Bukayo Saka arrived just in time at the front post, turning the ball goalward with an acute touch, lofting the ball over Mendy. Saka’s third goal of the tournament and England’s third of the game to put the Round of 16 tie to bed. No way back for Senegal.

Next up: Les Bleus

A strong win for the Three Lions but it's about to get so much harder. After beating Poland 3-1, France are England's next opponents. Mbappe and co will hope to crush England's dreams of bringing it home. What a game it'll be, the countdown to Sunday begins.

England – (4-3-3) Pickford, Shaw, Maguire, Stones (Dier 77’), Walker, Bellingham (Mount 76’), Rice, Henderson (Phillips 82’), Foden (Grealish 65’), Saka (Rashford 65’), Kane

Scorers – Jordan Henderson (39’), Harry Kane (45+3’), Bukayo Saka (57’)

Bookings – N/A

Senegal – (4-2-3-1) Mendy, Jakobs (Ballo-Toure 84’), Diallo, Koulibaly, Sabaly, Mendy, Ciss (Gueye 45’), Sarr, Ndiaye (Dieng 45’), Diatta (Sarr 45’), Dia (Diedhiou 72’)

Scorers – N/A

Bookings – Kalidou Koulibaly (76’)

Referee: Ivan Arcides Barton Cisneros

Attendance: 65,985

POTM: Harry Kane

Written by Isabelle Newnham