England set up a huge World Cup quarter-final showdown with defending champions France after easing past Senegal with a 3-0 victory in the last-16.
After a sluggish start at the Al Bayt Stadium, England burst into life in the 39th minute when Jude Bellingham brilliantly set up Jordan Henderson for the opener.
It got even better for Gareth Southgate’s side just before the break when Bellingham launched a devastating England counter, which was finished off by Harry Kane (45+3) for his first goal of the tournament
England’s charge to the last eight continued after the break as Bukayo Saka (57) justified his recall to the starting XI with a deft finish to convert Phil Foden’s cross.
It led to an extremely comfortable end to the game for England as Southgate made a host of substitutions as he aims to keep his squad fresh for what lies ahead.
It sets up a mouth-watering last-eight contest with France on Saturday (kick-off 7pm), who were inspired by a clinical performance from Kylian Mbappe as his double helped secure them a 3-1 victory over Poland.
Just as they did against Wales, England started slowly and there were some uncomfortable moments for Harry Maguire, who was twice outpaced in the early stages by Boulaye Dia and then Iliman Ndiaye.
Senegal were pressing aggressively and causing England’s defenders, who were seeing lots of the ball, plenty of issues.
England just couldn’t get going and Senegal created the first opening of the game. The ball fell kindly for Ismaila Sarr, who blazed a shot from the edge of the six-yard area over the bar under pressure from Jordan Pickford. There was also an appeal for a penalty the build up to the chance with Senegal claiming a handball against John Stones, but after a brief VAR check, play was waved on.
Pickford was back in action shortly after as Saka gifted possession to Sarr, who slid the ball through for Dia. The forward’s strike looked to be heading for the far corner but the outstretched left arm of the Everton goalkeeper, who came to England’s rescue.
It took until the 39th minute, but England finally showed their quality and to devastating effect. Foden picked out Kane, who slid the ball through for a marauding Bellingham. The Borussia Dortmund broke into the Senegal penalty area before squaring for Henderson, who swept home a first-time finish under Edouard Mendy to give Southgate’s side the lead.
England now have a World Cup quarter-final against holders France to look forward to next Saturday, December 10.
Kick-off at the Al-Bayt Stadium will be at 8pm
