ENGLAND sealed their spot in the last 16 of the World Cup with a thumping win over Wales.
And Manchester United man Marcus Rashford proved to be the star of the show in the 3-0 slaying of The Dragons.
The 25-year-old bagged a second-half brace to become the tournament’s joint top goalscorer along with Kylian Mbappe, Enner Valencia and Cody Gakpo.
Manchester City ace Phil Foden struck two minutes after Rashford’s first to make sure of the victory and seal top spot for Gareth Southgate’s troops.
The Three Lions’ mauling of the Welsh saw them top Group B with seven points to their names.
And it’s teed up a clash with Group A runners-up Senegal on Sunday evening.
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ENGLAND RATINGS
JORDAN PICKFORD – 6
A first-half spectator apart from playing keep-ball with his centre backs.
Coped well with Maguire deflecting Kieffer Moore’s effort, but that was about it.
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KYLE WALKER – 6
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Decent return. Combative and prepared to be enterprising, stepping up into midfield or putting in crosses. Understandably ran out of gas and went off before the hour.
JOHN STONES – 6
Coped easily with Wales’ so-called attack yet was not quite as effective on the ball and missed a great late chance. Looks in good nick, but tougher nights are ahead.
HARRY MAGUIRE – 6
Lost the odd aerial duel to Kieffer Moore but with no impact and was otherwise effective. Attempted some long diagonals to vary England’s game.
LUKE SHAW – 6
Untroubled in defence. May feel he should have done better from his set-pieces and crossing opportunities. Did enough to keep his place.
JORDAN HENDERSON – 5
Unfairly criticised before, but gave the doubters some more ammunition. Tried his heart out as ever but very little that he did came off.
DECLAN RICE – 7
Had a much easier time than against the USA and gave England a platform to build from. Given a well-earned rest once the game was won.
PHIL FODEN – 8
After a slow start, England’s most wanted justified his selection and then some.
Dangerous off both flanks and took his goal neatly. Hard to leave out now.
JUDE BELLINGHAM – 7
Not a Rolls Royce as against Iran, but purred nicely along in a less flashy supporting role, especially in the second half as England went up a gear.
Wales Player Ratings
Here SunSport’s Oscar Paul delivers his Wales player ratings…
DANNY WARD – 5/10
Out in a flash to deny Marcus Rashford early on. Nowhere near Rashford’s free-kick and had no chance for Phil Foden’s, but should have done better for third.
NECO WILLIAMS – 6
Knocked into next week by Rashford’s thunderbolt following a solid start. Played on for 14 minutes before being replaced by Connor Roberts.
CHRIS MEPHAM – 5
Held firm with centre-back partner Joe Rodon for 45 minutes but he and the defence fell apart in a calamitous second half.
JOE RODON – 4
Dealt with Harry Kane OK but had no answer when Foden was charging his way. Gave the free-kick away on the Man City ace which led to England’s opener.
BEN DAVIES – 4
Plenty of early space down Wales’ left which England could not exploit. Rashford picked his pocket for the second to cap a horror night. Subbed soon after.
ETHAN AMPADU – 6
The only one who can leave Wales’ disastrous World Cup with head held high. Battled all night yet given no support by those around him.
JOE ALLEN – 4
No surprise to see a Championship midfielder past his sell-by date given the runaround. Got stuck in on his first start since September but gave the ball away too often.
GARETH BALE – 3
Anonymous. Again. Hooked at the break following just seven forgettable touches. The King of Wales’ reign is over. A woeful end to a terrible tournament.
AARON RAMSEY – 4
Just his latest shocker – not that anyone was surprised. Long past his best, Rob Page was loyal to a fault persevering. Wales must surely move on from Bale and Ramsey.
DAN JAMES – 5
Typical Dan James: Loads of energy but no composure or end product. Flashed one just wide after England’s second but the game was gone. Frustrating as ever.
KIEFFER MOORE – 5
The big man could not make anything stick for Wales to build around. Deflected shot when 2-0 was the closest Wales came. A stroll in the desert for Harry Maguire and John Stones.
Subs:
CONNOR ROBERTS (for Williams, 36mins) – 5
Big block moments after coming on when England looked in but was done all end’s up down left for Rashford’s second.
BRENNAN JOHNSON (for Bale, 46mins) – 5
A thankless task given Wales were 2-0 down six minutes after he came on. Harried but could not rouse a beaten side.
JOE MORRELL (for Davies, 59mins) – 4
Could not stop the flow of England chances in the last 30 minutes.
HARRY WILSON (for James, 77mins) – 5
No time to change anything but showed nothing earlier in the tournament to suggest he should have started.
RUBIN COLWILL (for Allen, 81mins) – 5
Thrown in for his first taste of the World Cup. Not sure that’s how he would have dreamt it.
MARCUS RASHFORD – 9 – STAR MAN
Faded in the first half after an early chance was saved.
But turned his and England’s night around with a fabulous opener. Stole the ball for a second, and scored third.
HARRY KANE – 7
Created an early chance and teed up Foden superbly for the quickfire second goal.
Still looked a bit leggy so no surprise to see him go off to save energy for knockouts.
SUBSTITUTES
TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD (for Walker, 58mins) – 6
Neat and tidy first appearance of the tournament.
KALVIN PHILLIPS (for Rice, 58mins) – 7
Impressive comeback, good pass to set up third
CALLUM WILSON (for Kane, 58mins) – 6
Energetic and played nice and high.
KIERAN TRIPPIER (for Shaw, 65mins)
Did the necessary, showed he can be a left-sided option.
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JACK GREALISH (for Rashford, 76mins) – 6
Kept possession well to close out the game.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
