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Relatively less tough opponents to face till quarter. Then France or England. Did coach Luis Enrique and the Spanish team dream of an easy run to the semi-finals at the World Cup, as Hugo Sánchez said? The same Spain is returning following the pre-quarter stage. Spain impressed the fans by scoring 7 goals once morest Costa Rica in the first match. Draw (1-1) once morest struggling Germany in the 2nd match. 3rd match lost to Japan (2–1). Spain, who monopolized the ball and showed magic in passing, finally came out once morest Morocco without even seeing the target from the penalty spot. Is it another chapter of the tiki-taka style that goes out of rhythm? When plan A fails, it’s usually necessary to come up with a plan B. Can their plan of Tricky Tata, a combination of passing and power game, be seen on the field? Will Enrique’s flawed passing experiments drive Spanish football forward? Is the Spanish Spring that bloomed once with the 2010 World Cup in South Africa still far away?

Doha ∙ England fought without giving up their presence of mind in front of the power game of the Senegalese players and reached the quarter-finals of the Qatar World Cup with a resounding victory. England won by three one-sided goals in a thrilling match at Al Bait Stadium. Jordan Henderson (39th minute), captain Harry Kane (45+3) and Bukayo Saka (57th minute) scored for England.

Now, England’s opponents are France, the current champions, in the quarter-finals to be held at the same stadium on December 10. France entered the quarter following defeating Poland by three goals to one. Kylian Mbappe’s double goals gave France a stunning victory.

In a match where Senegalese players fought hard at the Al Beit Stadium, England were saved by a mistake in front of goal. England scored all three goals following the advances made by focusing on counter-attacks.

∙ The way the goals came

England first goal: England’s first goal was paved by the young player Jude Bellingham’s progress through the left wing with the ball received from Harry Kane. Bellingham, who rushed to the box following chasing the Senegalese players one by one, hit the ball straight into the middle of the box. A running Jordan Henderson guided the ball into the net with his left foot. Goalkeeper Edward Mendy dived in the direction of the ball but to no avail. Goal…. Score 1–0.

England second goal: Captain Harry Kane scored the second goal for England following being the top scorer in the last World Cup despite not being able to score any goals this time. Once once more England’s goal was from a quick counter attack. Jude Bellingham took the ball from his own half and started the progress this time. Bellingham advanced with the ball down the middle of the field and flipped it to Phil Foden on the left wing. Foden quickly passed the ball to captain Kane who was unmarked. Kane’s shot, which had enough time in front of the post, went past Eduard Mendy and into the net. Score 2–0.

England third goal: England’s third goal was scored by Phil Foden on the left wing when Captain Harry Kane lost control of the ball during his rush towards the Senegal box. Foden pounced on the ball and flicked it across the face of the goal outside the box. Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy was left with nothing to do as Bukayo Saka headed the ball parallel to the post into the net. Bukayo Saka’s third goal in the Qatar World Cup. Score 3–0.

∙ Curiosity in numbers

Thirty-two-year-old Henderson is the oldest player to score a World Cup goal for England since Tom Finney, who scored once morest the USSR at the age of thirty-six in the 1958 World Cup. Jude Bellingham, who was instrumental in both of England’s goals, became the youngest player since Michael Owen to play in the first XI for England in a World Cup knockout.

England have scored the most goals in the first half of the 2022 World Cup. They scored five goals in the first half from four games. All these goals were scored following 30 minutes.

∙ Equal opportunities Senegal

The first half saw the Senegalese squander two golden chances. Senegal should have taken the lead by shocking England in the 31st minute. The savior was goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. As Ismaila Zar made a diving catch with the ball from Bukayo Saka, he turned it over to Boulaye Diya. The Senegalese fans watched in disbelief as Thia’s blistering shot from the left wing bounced off Pickford’s left hand in front of the post.

Before this, in the 23rd minute, during the crowd in the England box, Ismaila Sir’s shot flew over the cross bar with only the goalkeeper standing in front, which disappointed the fans.

England face Senegal with only one change to the team that beat Wales in their last group game. Bukayo Saka replaced Marcus Rashford, who scored once morest Wales, in the starting eleven. Saka scored a double in the first match once morest Iran.

English Summary: England vs Senegal World Cup 2022, Live Score