England produced a clinical performance to beat AFCON winners Senegal 3-0 to set up a quarter-final date with defending champions France on Saturday.
The Three Lions held off an energetic Senegalese team in the opening 30 minutes, but were in complete control after scoring two quick goals before half-time. Gareth Southgate’s side, however, must keep up the momentum and up their game if he has any chance against Les Blues.
These are the three things we learned.
Jude Bellingham, key in the series of England
The 19-year-old put in another stellar performance dominating in the middle of the park. The Borussia Dortmund star appeared calm and collected with passing range, slipping easily between opposition players while also making space to move into dangerous positions in the final third.
Bellingham showed maturity beyond his years by running into the Senegalese penalty area and providing an excellent assist for Jordan Henderson’s first goal of the night.
Southgate would need Bellingham in his prime against France to win back possession, win balls back and then transition into attacking with his deeper runs. In addition, his excellent distribution of the ball will be the need of the moment to keep the French defense on their toes. If the Dortmund youngster is at his best, England will create chances against Kylian Mbappe and co.
Defense remains a concern
The 3–0 victory meant that this was England’s third consecutive clean sheet in the World Cup. However, England looked shaky at the back and Senegal could have taken the lead had goalkeeper Jordan Pickford’s outstretched left hand not thwarted Boulaye Dia’s attempt on goal on 32 minutes. Neither the centre-backs, nor Harry Maguire nor John Stones played a good game, the latter giving the ball to the opponent several times when they were under pressure. England were lucky not to award a penalty when it appeared the ball had grazed Stones’ left arm from Dia’s deflected effort.
Kyle Walker was also lucky to escape a booking after recklessly bringing down Ismaila Sarr and when Senegal kept aiming for the left flank to build up their attack. With Mbappé next, Walker must improve his game and maintain discipline, otherwise the PSG star can take the game away from the English very quickly. Luke Shaw, although he had a guaranteed game playing as an auxiliary left-back, needs to be at his best to face Ousmane Dembele on the wings against France.
Senegal lacked Mane
The AFCON champions were expected to make a deeper run in Qatar and would be disappointed with their lackluster performance against England. His two stalwarts and Chelsea pair captain Kalidou Koulibaly and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy had miserable outings that left a lot to be desired for the African side. Sarr should have put Senegal ahead on 23 minutes, but he fired wide from just 6 meters.
While Senegal would be ruining their chances, it never looked like they could get back in the game. Perhaps this was the kind of game tailor-made for Sadio Mane, the Bayern Munich star who missed the World Cup campaign through injury.
Had Aliou Cisse’s side gotten the better of England, they would have staged a blockbuster clash against France, whom they upset in their first-round encounter at the 2002 World Cup. Not Senegal, and the tournament’s dark horses return home after a disjointed performance.
Photo credit: IMAGO / MexSport Agency
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