England 3 Wales 0: Marcus Rashford nets stunning double to knock rivals out and set up Senegal knockout World Cup clash
PHIL FODEN backed up the public’s demand to see him start by inspiring England to victory against Wales and into the last 16.
While Marcus Rashford also justified his own first inclusion from the off in the tournament with a fine double.
Fans had urged Gareth Southgate to pick Foden after he was left an unused sub in the bore draw with the USA.
Southgate always said the Manchester City whizz-kid would play a big part in this World Cup.
And the Three Lions boss was as good as his word by putting the 22-year-old in his starting line-up, along with Rashford, here at the Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium.
Foden showed he was a good pick by winning the free-kick that Rashford brilliantly smashed in for the opener on 50 minutes.
Then the City boy killed off the Boyos hopes completely by tapping home Harry Kane’s cross just over a minute later.
Rashford hit another, to take his tournament tally to three – level with top-scorers Kylian Mbappe, Cody Gakpo and the eliminated Enner Valencia – on 68 minutes.
It set up a knockout clash with Senegal on Sunday, which Foden and Rashford will both be desperate to start, and sent Gareth Bale and Co home early as the wooden-spoon collectors of Group B.
Southgate made four changes from the US stalemate, bringing in Foden, Rashford, Jordan Henderson and Kyle Walker.
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It was more of the same though in a dull first half where chances were in short supply.
Rashford came closest when sent through by Kane, but Wales stopper Danny Ward denied the revitalised Manchester United man with a good stop.
Bale has so often been Wales’ hero but offered next to nothing here, having only seven touches, and was surprisingly subbed at the break.
Supporters were treated to a performance by 90s rocker Chesney Hawkes at the break – playing his famous hit ‘The One and Only’.
England proved they were the only ones who were going to win this game as they came out looking fired-up for the second period and scored a rapid double.
Foden’s twinkle-toed dribble was cut short by Joe Rodon’s bruising challenge 23 yards out, and Rashford did the rest by smashing in the resulting free-kick.
Seconds later, Rashford dispossessed Ben Davies, allowing Kane to cross all the way along the six-yard box and there was Foden to tap home.
Wales were done at that point and the only question was how many more they would concede.
A third came along with 22 minutes to go as Rashford cut in from the right, having switched wings with Foden at the break, and beat the weak Ward at his near post.
It may have been a slow start, but England ultimately proved here why they do have the capability to go deep in this tournament.
And with Foden and Rashford playing like this, they can be a match against anybody.