Co-favourites England made it through to the knockout stages of the World Cup in Qatar. In the “island duel” against Wales, coach Gareth Southgate’s protégés prevailed 3-0 (0-0) at Al-Rajjan’s Ahmed bin Ali Stadium. England’s opponent in the round of 16 is Senegal.
In the first half, England struggled with Wales, after the change the bell rang twice within 60 seconds. Marcus Rashford sank a free kick (50th minute), Phil Foden (51st). followed up after a cross pass from Harry Kane. After a brief gasp from Wales, Rashford (68th) made everything clear with his second goal.
The English were already in the round of 16 with one and a half legs before the final group game and should have lost by at least four goals to Wales to be eliminated. The fact that they did not take the game lightly was also due to their opponents in the round of 16.
As group winners, the “Three Lions” avoid the Netherlands and instead have to deal with the supposedly weaker team from Senegal in the World Cup round of 16 on Sunday (December 4th, 2022, 8 p.m.). “We are now (in the round of 16, ed.) the favorites on paper, we know that. But we’re playing against a very dangerous team.”said Southgate.
Bitter departure from Bale
For Wales, the first World Cup in 64 years ended bleakly. With just one point and one goal, the eleven around record national player Gareth Bale said goodbye to the tournament. For the 33-year-old Bale, a shadow of his former self throughout the tournament, what was believed to be his final World Cup was over at half-time. He stayed in the cabin.
Southgate with four changes
Southgate, who had trusted the same starting XI against the USA and Iran, rotated for the first time and changed four positions at once. Phil Foden, Jordan Henderson and Marcus Rashford should ensure more offensive power than in the 0-0 win against the USA, Kyle Walker started at right-back. Kieran Trippier, Bukayo Saka, Mason Mount and Raheem Sterling sat on the bench.
While Southgate was spoiled for choice, fellow coach Rob Page was forced to leave with first-choice keeper Wayne Hennessey suspended. Instead of the redsinner, Danny Ward stood between the posts. With his historic dismissal – he was the first Welshman to be sent off at a World Cup – Wales’ dilemma against Iran (0-2) began. The “Dragons” conceded both goals in the final phase outnumbered.
England immediately in forward gear
Against England, Wales didn’t see a trick even with a tie on the pitch. Page knew it was going to be a difficult task, he said “a hard test”. The first few minutes showed how great the respect for the almost overwhelming opponent was.
Wales relied on a defensive bulwark, built two chains of four in front of the penalty area, gave the ball to the “brother” and tried a wall tactic. This worked – with one exception – well in the first half hour. Only once did Harry Kane find the gap with a sugar pass. The striker of Tottenham Hotspur sent Marcus Rashford steeply, who appeared free in front of Ward, but couldn’t get the ball past the keeper who stormed out (10′).
England, who are yet to lose a competitive game against Wales, ran the ball fine. However, there was a lack of speed and accuracy to make the Welsh defensive concrete crumble.
74 percent possession, but no goal
The favorite only picked up speed again after 35 minutes. Fantastically prepared by young Dortmund star Jude Bellingham, who had been in hiding until then, Paul Foden just missed the goal. Rashford’s artistic overhead kick also clearly missed the box (38th). It was only a short offensive flicker, after that the Englishmen stood in each other’s way too often until the break whistle and made far too little out of 74 percent possession.
Marcus Rashford tries an overhead kick.
Wales – two goals conceded in 60 seconds
And Wales? Didn’t play on the offensive for 45 minutes and suddenly had the chance to take the lead in injury time in the first half. Joe Allen hammered from the edge of the box with his left over the box. It was the Dragons’ first shot on goal, who were caught cold after the break.
In the 50th minute, Rashford broke the spell with a hammer-hard free kick from 18 meters. Seconds later, Kane asserted himself on the right flank and passed perfectly to Foden, who had run with him and who only had to push in from six meters and was already celebrating before the ball had crossed the line.
Rashford with the “double tunnel”
Wales apparently needed the two goals conceded to wake up. After the 0:2, Dan James and Kieffer Moore failed narrowly with two powerful long-range shots. The outsider didn’t score a goal, instead Rashford turned up the heat. The striker claimed in a confined space Manchester United the ball in the 68th minute, tunneled first Coonor Roberts and then keeper Ward and celebrated his second goal.
England turned up after the 3-0 and should have won more, but Bellingham, Foden, Rashford and John Stones missed the clearest chances. Wales were only trying to limit the damage, and when they succeeded, thousands of fans cheered the team wildly. “The problem was that we conceded goals within a few minutes. We gave it our all and we are frustrated that we were eliminated from the tournament”said Wales national team manager Rob Page.