Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka START for England against Senegal as Raheem Sterling misses out due to family matter
PHIL FODEN and Bukayo Saka are set to start against Senegal tonight.
Manager Gareth Southgate is keeping Foden in the team while he is also poised to bring Saka back into the starting XI for the last-16 clash.
Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka will start against Senegal[/caption] Marcus Rashford scored twice against Wales on Tuesday[/caption] Gareth Southgate has made some big calls ahead of the last-16 clash[/caption]And it is also a blow for Raheem Sterling who was pushing for a place after failing to feature in the 3-0 win over Wales.
Sterling has pulled out due to a family matter, the FA revealed on Sunday evening.
That is hard for Marcus Rashford, who has scored three times this tournament including two against Wales.
Football fans will be pleased that Foden keeps his place for the last 16 clash.
Saka started the first two games and will now be fresh as England look to reach the quarter-finals.
Southgate is expecting a tough game but expects England’s attacking might to be too much for the AFCON champions.
England have conceded just twice and they were in the opening game against Iran.
And the Three Lions boss believes his side are better prepared for the knockout stages than they were four years ago – when Croatia sent them home in the semis.
He said: “I think there is a different mentality. More belief. In Russia, we were just thinking, ‘Can we win a knockout game?’
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“Now there is more confidence and more experience of knockout matches. We are pleased the first objective is achieved.
“The spirit of the team is good we have got most of the team on the pitch which is fabulous for the dynamic – and no yellow cards which is good.”
England will face France in the quarter-finals if they successfully get past Senegal on Sunday evening.
It remains to be seen whether they will be handed a kind draw if they beat the reigning world champions – with the Three Lions facing the possibility of a dream or nightmare route to the final.