AFTER DEFEATING SENEGAL (3-0), ENGLAND WILL PLAY FRANCE IN THE WORLD CUP QUARTERFINALS
AFTER DEFEATING SENEGAL (3-0), ENGLAND WILL PLAY FRANCE IN THE WORLD CUP QUARTERFINALS
By Rashmi Goel
England has reached the World Cup quarterfinals. The 3-0 win over Senegal was achieved with an abundance of quality and plenty of reasons to be cheerful, despite the threat of France in the last eight. The most prominent player on the team was Jude Bellingham, who pulled the strings and had a hand in many of England's most effective creative moments. It appears that the 19-year-old has the best chance of developing into a player who can compete with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, who scored earlier in the day for France.
The Senegalese stood out early as underdogs. Dia squeezed between Harry Maguire and John Stones for a chance. Maguire's poor pass also gave Ismaila Sarr a chance. Stones blocked his shot, and a VAR check ruled out the allegation he used his arm. Despite not using his arm, Jordan Pickford denied Sarr again. Before the goalkeeper heroically beat the Watford forward's shot away, the forward twisted and turned to outfox England's backline. It took England a while to gain momentum following a staid start, but they did. Jude Bellingham received the ball from Harry Kane after he dropped deep. In a moment of calm aplomb, the 19-year-old raced into the box and pulled the ball back for Jordan Henderson to finish the play. This was England's first well-planned attack, which proved successful.
Several minutes later, they were able to replicate the event. The ball was won by Bellingham on the edge of the England box just before halftime. He chose to take the risk rather than play it safe and ran through the center circle before reaching Phil Foden, who stepped up to take the ball. Kane scored a masterful goal after City's star slotted in the ball. It is great to see England's captain get off to a good start in these championships. Despite Senegal's cruel defeat, the one-two punch showed England's talent despite their frequent handcuffs. Despite three changes at halftime, Senegal was unable to stem the tide of English dominance. After making a substitution for Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka scored a goal after making a successful conversion from a Foden cross.
It was Saka's deft touch that lifted the ball over Edouard Mendy. Continuing the Three Lions' impressive performance, another fine goal was scored. As a result of England's three-goal advantage, Gareth Southgate was free to make changes to his team. Foden and Saka's replacements, Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish, would start for many of the remaining nations in the tournament. The strength of England's depth cannot be questioned, despite the lack of a singular generational talent like Kylian Mbappe for instance. They will face their toughest test next in the form of a young, vibrant England team. It is the reigning world champions who await the quarterfinals. During their 3-1 victory over Poland earlier in the day, Mbappe, Olivier Giroud, and company looked ominously sharp. Nevertheless, England appeared to be equally effective. These young Lions will not be intimidated. Bellingham, Saka, Foden, and the rest of the team are not to be underestimated.
