When England sealed their place in the last 16 of this year’s World Cup by defeating Wales, certain positives reinvigorated the fans’ optimism. The main talking points following the 3-0 win that sent LAFC striker Gareth Bale and his compatriots home from Qatar centered around the inclusion of Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden.
Those comments were certainly justified as well. Both played only parts in Gareth Southgate’s team for the first two games. Foden and Rashford came on as second-half substitutes in a 6-2 demolition of Iran. The Manchester United player made an immediate impact. He scored England’s fifth goal of the game. His reward was another 12 minutes as a substitute in a 0-0 draw with the US Meanwhile, Foden was left on the bench.
However, before the clash against Wales, both were placed in the starting line-up to devastating effect. Rashford scored twice, goals from him coming on either side of Foden’s first World Cup goal for his country. Yes, England can defend well, as the stalemate with the USA shows. But they have shown, as top scorers so far, that they are a more effective team when playing on their front foot.
Not surprisingly, both players left their mark. After all, his performances in the English Premier League this season have been impressive. It looks like Rashford is back in his prime, scoring nine goals for his club before heading to Qatar. As for Foden, he is an integral part of Pep Guardiola’s plans. He appears to be a key player in City’s bid to not only win the Premier League again, but also to find their first UEFA Champions League title.
Senegal is not a surprise package
Both players will be key for Southgate as they look to progress past Senegal in the round of 16 on Sunday. The African nation is looking to reach their third World Cup final visit to remember and at least reach the quarterfinals for the second time in their history. Their coach, Aliou Cisse, seems to have reignited the kind of team spirit he felt in 2002. Cisse’s impact on the Teranga Lions in Japan and South Korea helped them defeat World Cup champions France by a 1-0 margin.
His team now has echoes of that team of 20 years ago. In defense of Cissé there are those who have the quality to stop the tide of attack that England has. Chelsea centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly starts alongside Abdou Diallo at the heart of the defence. Diallo is a player who has made a considerable impact in the Bundesliga for Dortmund, French champions Paris Saint Germain and most recently RB Leipzig.
Also, Senegal plays in midfield with two players who sit deep when out of possession. Therefore, Southgate’s men will certainly have to work hard to get past the Africans.
The positive of England in the 2022 World Cup
This is where the quick feet and vision of Rashford and Foden could be the key to opening up a route to the quarter-finals for England. Rashford’s skills can be used in set-piece situations, as he demonstrated against Wales, and Foden’s ability to find space while well-marked may also be needed. Leaving the likes of Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham to be the ball winners and giving Rashford and Foden the ball to either score or assist the potentially game-deciding goal.
The latest results are good for the Three Lions. They have never lost to African opposition at the World Cup in seven previous meetings. Although, it’s not that simple. England were only victorious by more than one goal on one occasion. Three of those seven games against African opposition ended in a goalless draw.
Past history arguably tells us that while England is brimming with confidence, they still need all the skill and cunning of Rashford and Foden to have any chance of overcoming their next hurdle on the road to victory at Qatar 2022.
