Doha: England responded to Senegal’s pressing game with a double blow. England is leading by two goals against Senegal after the first half of the quarter-final match of the Qatar World Cup.
Jordan Henderson (39) and Harry Kane (45+3) scored for England. Henderson was the first to net for England. Bellingham’s advance to the left wing with the ball provided by Kane. Henderson’s cross parallel to the post through the defenders was the only job he had to knock into the net. Senegal goalie Edouard Mendy stood by as a spectator.
Henderson is the second oldest player to score for England at the World Cup. Tom Finney was 36 when he scored against the USSR in the 1958 World Cup. Kane cut England’s lead to two in first-half injury time. The setback for Senegal was that they forgot about defense and played forward. Phil Foden set up the goal. This is Kane’s first goal in Qatar World Cup.
In the first minutes, Senegal was advancing. Golden opportunity for Senegal in the fourth minute. Boley Dia’s progress through the foot of the through ball between John Stones and Harry Maguire towards the England goal. But Maguire avoided the danger before he had a chance to shoot. After that, the progress of England players continued to shake Senegal’s goal.
In the 13th minute, captain Harry Kane raised the ball into the box from the left wing of the post parallel to the post, but Bukayo Saka could not reach it. Even after the first 20 minutes, neither team could make any significant movements. Another chance for Senegal in the 22nd minute. Crepin Dieta, who intercepted Maguire’s pass, advanced down the right wing and lofted the ball into the England box, but Dia failed to connect properly.
The ball landed in front of goalie Pickford. Ismaila Sara, who rushed in before the ball reached the goalie, fired a shot but it went over the crossbar. In the 32nd minute, the ball was in the box at Dia’s feet after Senegal advanced. England’s goalie hit the shot from the left wing towards the net.
England started with a huge 6-2 win against Iran and reached the last 16 as unbeaten winners of Group B. And Senegal with a loss. The two teams have yet to face each other in international matches. Senegal’s best achievement in the World Cup was reaching the quarter-finals in 2002. England play a 4-3-3 style while Senegal play a 4-2-3-1 format. The winner of the match will face France in the quarter-finals on December 11.
England Team: Jordan Pickford, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Jordan Henderson, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane, Phil Foden.
Senegal team: Edouard Mendy, Youssef Sabaly, Kalidou Koulibaly, Abdou Diallo, Ismail Jacobs, Pathe Sis, Nambalis Mendy, Crepin Dieta, Iliman Didier, Ismaila Zar, Boley Dia.