ENGLAND cruised through to the knockout phase thanks to two goals from Marcus Rashford and one from Phil Foden.
After an uneventful first half, the Three Lions scored two in quick succession to put Gareth Southgate’s men firmly in charge.
Welsh star Gareth Bale was replaced by Brennan Johnson at half-time and it all fell apart for Wales in the second half.
England head into the last-16, where they will face Senegal after the AFCON Champions finished runners up in Group A.
- Kick-off: 7pm GMT
- TV channel: BBC One
- Live stream: BBC iPlayer,
- Radio commentary: Live on talkSPORT
- Group B: LIVE TABLE
- England XI: Pickford, Walker, Maguire, Stones, Shaw, Henderson, Rice, Bellingham, Rashford, Kane, Foden
- Wales XI: Ward, Mepham, Rodon, Davies, Williams, Ampadu, Allen, Ramsey, James, Bale, Moore
- Explainer: How can Wales AND England qualify from Group B?
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Fans continue celebrations into night
In Qatar and back home England, fans are still absorbing the feeling of progressing to the last 16 as well as the local tipples.
There will be some sore heads in works tomorrow for sure.
Few days off then you have to go all again Sunday.
Monday’s hangover is a problem for another day.
Credit: Getty Credit: Alamy Credit: Alamy Mission accomplished for manager
Gareth Southgate spoke about what he looked to change at half-time in the game today:
“We wanted a bit more thrust and threat in the final third, play forward a little bit quicker.”
And his thoughts on match-winner Marcus Rashford:
“It’s great for him. He has trained really well. He could have had a hat-trick, the free-kick, that is what he is all about. It is incredible really.”
Gareth vows to fight on
Wales captain Gareth Bale admitted his team have had a disappointing World Cup campaign.
But Bale, 33, told the BBC: “We should be proud to have made the World Cup.”
“We’d have loved to have played better and created more chances.”
“It just didn’t happen for us at this World Cup. It’s been difficult, this tournament. We haven’t played very well.”
“But we played with our hearts and gave everything.”
Bale claimed he is committed to continuing his international career – for as long as he can and is still wanted.
Credit: PA
Bookies slash odds for Three Lions
Coral slashed the odds on the Three Lions winning the tournament to 8-1 alongside Argentina – behind Brazil, France and Spain.
Coral’s John Hill said: “It was straightforward for England in the end in their final game in Group B, and as a result of that impressive performance, they have been trimmed in the outright market to 8/1.”
“England are warm favourites to get past Senegal in the last 16. They are odds-on to win that game in 90 minutes on Sunday evening.”
World Cup outright: 5-2 Brazil, 5 France, 13-2 Spain, 8 Argentina, England, 11 Portugal, 12 Portugal, 14 Netherlands, 40 Bar.
Rashford tribute for friend
England hero Marcus Rashford has revealed that his goal celebration after his first goal against Wales tonight was for a friend who tragically lost his life only days earlier.
The Man Utd attacker pointed towards the skies after his opening goal this evening.
Rashford put a match-winning performance in for Gareth Southgate’s side to book their place in the last 16.
Credit: AP Players spend time with families
With the game done and dusted, the players get chance to catch up with girlfriends and families.
Chance for some downtime before returning to the bubble of their training camps.
The fans do not stay behind inspired by their Japanese counterparts however.
Credit: PA Credit: PA Credit: Getty England fans celebrate qualification
Up and down the country, fans enjoy having their progress to the last 16 confirmed as they finish top of the group.
Victory over Wales leaving them two points clear of USA in second.
Senegal now wait in the last 16.
Credit: Alamy Credit: Alamy Credit: Alamy Lions set to maul Al Khor
The Three Lions will now fight it out with The Lions of Teranga on Sunday at the Al Bayt Stadium in the last 16.
Senegal beat Ecuador 2-1 to book their place as runners-up of Group A.
Gareth Southgate’s side will be focussed on progressing to the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The people of Senegal took to the streets earlier to celebrate their qualification.
Final tale of the tape
Here are the final standings in Group B.
England progress as group winners.
Wales are eliminated from the tournament.
Credit: @FIFAWorldCup
End of an era for Wales
With the World Cup played every four years, the harsh reality looms for Welsh fans that for some of their players this will be their final swansong.
The likes of Hennessey, Bale, Ramsey and Joe Allen have probably played their last World Cup game for their country.
Wales now need to focus on the new breed of Welsh talent coming through to replace the old guard.
Credit: Getty Nothing Rash about this performance
The Man Utd attacker showed what he was all about this evening with his display from start to finish.
He was a thorn in Wales’ side and any time he looked to cut in from the left, he looked dangerous.
Rounding his performance off with two goals, unlucky to not get a third.
World Cup first for Qatar
Marcus Rashford scored the first free-kick of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Danny Ward will be criticised for getting beaten on his own side and not trusting his wall but Rashford drilled the ball into the top corner.
The last free kick scored at a World Cup before Rashford’s was actually scored by Kieran Trippier.
Must be something in the training methods.
Credit: Getty Chance given and taken
Many people were calling for the introduction of Phil Foden into this England team after the drab stalemate with USA.
Both players given the chance to perform tonight, took the bull by the horns and showed their manager why they should be in the team.
Marcus Rashford starred this evening, bagging two goals for himself in the process.
Man City’s Foden grabbed a goal in between the two goals scored by Rashford.
A real Manchester affair for England tonight.
Credit: Getty FT: Wales 0-3 England
The result is a fair reflection on the difference in quality between the two sides this evening.
Once talisman Gareth Bale came off at half-time, the chances of seeing Wales cause an upset seemed to disappear.
England dominated from start to finish and in the second half, back it up with some goals.
FT: Wales 0-3 England
The referee brings the game to a close.
England are through to the last 16 of the World Cup 2022.
They will face Senegal in the next round.
Wales head home.
Wales 0-3 England
90+2. Some sloppy defending again by Wales eventually conceding a corner.
The ball comes in deep and Maguire heads it back towards goal.
It drops to Stones three yards out, in the middle of the goal, unmarked.
Somehow he puts it two yards over the bar when it looked more difficult than scoring.
Wales 0-3 England
90. We are going to have four additional minutes.
The token Jack Grealish foul is officially out of the way.
Such is the style of the Man City attacker, he really does get kicked a lot.
Wales 0-3 England
88. England would like one more goal to really put the icing on this performance today.
Wales look ready for the final whistle now.
Callum Wilson is putting the Welsh defence under pressure trying to sniff out a goal for himself.
Wales 0-3 England
86. England are looking to manage the remainder of the game.
Passing the ball around not looking to press forward much.
Wales win the ball and break, Keiffer Moore tries to bend one in the top corner but the ball goes well wide.
Credit: Reuters Wales 0-3 England
84. There is nothing worse than travelling home from a game after your side has lost.
Let alone if the trip home is close to 8,000km.
England fans continue to sing ‘God Save The King’.
Wales 0-3 England
82. Gareth Southgate will be pleased with this performance.
They have controlled the game from start to finish.
Pickford could have been writing his memoirs for most of the game.
More importantly, they have scored goals too.
Wales 0-3 England
80. Ruben Colwill replaces Joe Allen.
We are into the last ten minutes of the game.
It has kind of ended as a contest now.
Wales 0-3 England
78. Harry Wilson comes on for Dan James.
Ramsey gives the ball away to Wilson.
He looks set to score England’s fourth but Ward saves well, Wilson cannot direct the rebound towards goal but Foden slices wide of goal.
The replay shows Roden did well to put Foden off.
Credit: Reuters Wales 0-3 England
76. Marcus Rashford comes off to an applause as he is replaced by Jack Grealish.
Not what tiring legs would want to see this late in the game.
Chance for the City attacker to stake a claim for a starting spot.
Wales 0-3 England
74. Wales come forward, still looking to reduce the deficit.
The atmosphere has completely died here now.
Thoughts of a long trip back to Cardiff Airport sinks home for many.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
