World Cup: Senegal hands England easy ticket to Quarterfinal

England bounced back from a slow start against African Champions Senegal, to win 3-0 at the Al Bayt Stadium, and advance to the quarter finals of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Gareth Southgate’s side was off the mark at 39 minutes through Jordan Henderson who converted a cutback cross from Jude Bellingham in Senegal’s box.

Senegal’s impressive first-half spell was then brought to an end with back-to-back invasions from England’s front line, to send them packing.

Before taking the lead, Bukayo Saka delivered crosses from the right flank but failed to yield as Harry Kane and Phill Foden both missed a chance to open the scoring which brought false hope to the Senegalese of a later upset in the game.

Senegal was a bigger threat in the final third but a clinical finish from Harry Kane in added time saw pressure relieved from the England camp as the game went to recess with them in a two-nil comfortable lead and Kane picking his first goal of the tournament.

Senegal’s biggest chance on goal was by Boulaye Dia in the first half but a brilliant save from Jordan Pickford did just enough to deny the Lions of Teranga a goal in their first-ever meeting against The three Lions.

Returning to the second half, Senegal Coach Aliou Cisse made three changes to his squad that had Bamba Dieng coming on for Iliman Ciss, Pape Gueye for Pathe Ciss, and Pape Matar Sarr for Krepin Diatta, though the trio didn’t have the desired impact as England extended the lead to three goals.

Bukayo Saka scored England’s third goal of the day and his third of the tournament with a chip over Edouard Mendy, 12 minutes into the second half.

Senegal came to the contest without Cheikhou Kouyate and Gana Gueye in the midfield, and missed Bayern’s Sadio Mane on the attack line from the start of the tournament which is reason enough to explain the foreseen exit.

The African Giants controlled a bigger portion of the first half but two late goals had England break away and dominate the rest of the game to book a spot in the next round where they play France next on Saturday.