England set up a mouthwatering World Cup quarter-final against reigning champions France as Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka struck against Senegal.
Playing in their first knockout match on the world stage since the agonising extra-time 2018 semi-final loss to Croatia, Gareth Southgate’s men showed their quality to progress in Qatar.
Kane became England’s highest ever scorer at major tournaments after Henderson opened the scoring, with Saka superbly wrapping up a comfortable 3-0 win in Sunday’s last-16 contest at Al Bayt Stadium.
The reward is a return to Al Khor for a crunch clash against France next Saturday as last year’s European Championship runners-up take on the World Cup holders.
Southgate’s side will need to take their performance up a level given some of the problems Africa Cup of Nations winners Senegal were able to cause in a first half that ended with a quick-fire England double.
Henderson was the unlikely man to open the scoring when coolly directing in the cutback from Jude Bellingham, who played a key role as England also scored with the final kick of the first half.
The 19-year-old led a brilliant breakaway that ended with Phil Foden playing on to 2018 Golden Boot winner Kane, who slammed home his first goal in Qatar to become the side’s eighth different goalscorer.
Saka joined Marcus Rashford – the man he replaced in the starting line-up on Sunday – on three goals at this World Cup and ended the contest when he delicately clipped the ball over Edouard Mendy early in the second half.
England were in cruise control from that point and Southgate rung the changes with progress assured to consecutive World Cup quarter-finals – something the national team last managed in 2002 and 2006.
After the game, Harry Kane said of England’s initial struggles to get into the match: “Really tough, you know, knockout games are never easy.
Wales 0 England 3 - player ratings
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WALES RATINGS: Danny Ward – 5. Made an excellent early save from Rashford, sprinting from his line to block, but was later left to rue a costly mis-step before the Manchester United forward’s free-kick and found himself nutmegged for England’s third. Getty Images -
Neco Williams – 5. Reverted to full-back as Robert Page bolstered his defensive numbers, but was substituted with concussion shortly after the half-hour, having taken a powerful Rashford shot to the head. AFP -
Chris Mepham – 6. Impressive in the first half. Quick to sniff and snuff out danger whenever it developed in his vicinity, most notably closing down Foden to force the England man to blaze over. Overrun in the second half though, and perhaps slow to react to the turnover for England’s second. AP Photo -
Joe Rodon – 5. Solid enough in the opening 45 minutes as Wales remained low and compact, but his foul on Foden gave Rashford the half-chance to open the scoring from distance. Clashed heads with Callum Wilson just after the hour but kept going and denied Foden a late tap-in. Getty Images -
Ben Davies – 6. Returned to full-back on paper, but spent the majority of his time in a more central area. Caught in possession by Rashford for Foden’s killer second goal and soon departed injured – a sad end for one of Wales’ better performers at the tournament. Getty Images -
Joe Allen – 5. Restored to the starting lineup and provided a reliable screen in front of the defence while Wales defended in bulk. Almost capped his display with his side’s best efforts of the first half, but was unable to keep pace with the game as Southgate’s men stepped up through the gears. AFP -
Ethan Ampadu – 6. A more disciplined performance than his showing against Iran. Provided strong defensive reinforcement in open play and showed good ambition and range with his passing. Moved to right-back after England had taken an unassailable lead. Getty Images -
Daniel James – 4. Brought in on the right side of attack to provide killer pace on the counter, but Wales were unable to get him into the game. Frustration crept into his performance and he picked up a booking for a late foul on Stones. Came close with a curling cross-shot early in the second half. AP Photo -
Aaron Ramsey – 4. Curbed his creative influence to stifle Declan Rice to good effect in the first half, but had to show more ambition after England’s quickfire double strike. Guilty of a nasty challenge on Henderson which prompted a deserved booking. Getty Images -
Gareth Bale – 3. His low-key outing against Iran continued with another marginalised performance. Never looked like sprinkling stardust on the occasion. Barely involved in play and only lasted until half time before being hooked as Wales reshuffled. Getty Images -
Kieffer Moore – 5. Totally isolated in the first period as Wales spent the vast majority on defensive duties. Left chasing shadows and had to drop deeper to get a sniff of the action. Doing so resulted in a deflected long-ranger which Pickford did well to turn away. Never gave in. EPA -
SUBS: Connor Roberts (Neco Williams, 36) – 4. Dropped after a lacklustre showing against Iran, but introduced before half time in place of the stricken Williams. Struggled in the face of England’s pacier opening to the second half as Rashford ran riot. AP Photo -
Brennan Johnson (Gareth Bale, half time) – 5. Added more presence than Bale, but only just. Wales struggled to get him involved in the game as England comfortably wrested control. Getty Images -
Joe Morrell (Ben Davies, 59) – 5. Joined Joe Allen in a midfield reshuffle but Wales no longer had a foothold in the game. His thankless task became damage limitation. Getty Images -
Harry Wilson (Daniel James, 77) – N/A. Entered the fray long after it had been decided. Had one effort from a free-kick but thudded it against the defensive wall. EPA -
Rubin Colwill (Joe Allen, 81) – N/A. A late introduction in place of the injured Allen, but had no time at all to get involved. Smashed one speculative effort well over the bar. AFP -
ENGLAND RATINGS: Jordan Pickford 7 - Save in 55th minute after a shot was deflected off Harry Maguire. Another clean sheet. Getty Images -
Kyle Walker 7 - Important minutes for a player who has been short of match fitness since he hasn’t played for two months. Passed the test. AFP -
John Stones 8 - Stayed on his feet and always in control – like when Moore faced him with an 87th minute chance. Missed a sitter at the end. Getty Images -
Harry Maguire 7 - A second clean sheet, Maguire is of the view that tight defences go a long way to winning trophies. Solid. Again. More touches than anyone on the pitch. AFP -
Luke Shaw 7 - A couple of key passes. No problems for him. AFP -
Declan Rice 6 - Smart interception to set up Rashford with a first-half chance, but not as involved as the other midfielders. Higher passing accuracy than any other player. Reuters -
Jordan Henderson 7 - First England start since March and vocal throughout. Gareth Southgate used as many players as possible and it is working as England finished top of their group. AFP -
Jude Bellingham 7 - Beautiful flicks with Foden in England’s best first-half move. Shots, key and accurate passes, better than in the game against the USA. Such a mature player for his age. Such high energy levels, too. Getty Images -
Phil Foden 7 - Started – as most England fans desired – for his 20th cap. Shot wide after 14 and bent a shot wide on 37 after a move where England cut through Wales. Not clinical enough to justify the clamour for his selection but improved and his goal was deserved. Getty Images -
Marcus Rashford 9 - Had a first-half chance when he ran at the goalkeeper but failed to lift the ball over. Wonderful free-kick over the Welsh wall after 51 gave England the lead, then he won the ball back within a minute which led to the second. And he got the third, smashing it with his left foot. Getty Images -
Harry Kane 8 - Went straight after Wales when England went ahead and was rewarded by getting the ball to set up Foden with a sweet low cross for England’s second. Pressed from the front. Three assists in the competition now. Getty Images -
SUBS: Callum Wilson (On for Kane after 57) 7 - Lively shift and brought energy. PA -
Trent Alexander-Arnold (On for Walker after 57) 6 - Key minutes for the Liverpool full-back. Getty Images -
Kalvin Phillips (On for Rice after 57) 76 - Super ball forward to Rashford for England’s third goal. Getty Images -
Kieran Trippier (On for Shaw after 65) 6 - Being rotated and it’s healthy that Southgate has options at full-back. Getty Images -
Jack Grealish (On for Rashford after 75) N/A - Got involved straight away. Getty Images
"We’ve shown great maturity throughout the tournament and three goals against a really good side is a credit to the boys. The mentality was top from the beginning and we took our chances when they came.
"We feel good, we’ve got good runners, good players and we’re solid at the back. Three clean sheets in a row is really important.”
Asked about notching his first goal of the tournament, Kane said: “The ball just sat up nicely and the connection was perfect. It was nice to see that one go in. I’m a striker so whenever I score, I’m happy.”
On the meeting with France, he said: “Really tough game but it will be a good battle.”
Phil Foden said of man of the match Jude Bellingham: “I don’t want to big him up too much because he’s still young but he’s one of the most gifted players I’ve ever seen.
"I don’t see a weakness in his game, I think he’s got everything and I’m sure he’s going to be the best midfielder in the world.”
