England’s 2nd-fifty percent objective flurry versus Wales sealed an significant 3- gain on Tuesday, as Gareth Southgate’s facet topped Group B to progress into the Globe Cup knockouts in pole position.
Their prize? A very last 16 clash on Sunday with Team A runners-up Senegal, who edged past Ecuador in a slim 2-1 victory many thanks to Kalidou Koulibaly’s match-successful volley midway as a result of the next-half.
Obtaining shuffled the pack in opposition to Wales, Southgate has plenty to chew about ahead of his workforce assortment on Sunday, and Sportsmail’s specialists CHRIS SUTTON, MARTIN KEOWN, SAMI MOKBEL and IAN LADYMAN have drilled into all the big talking points.
Marcus Rashford scored 2 times in the 2nd-fifty percent to assist England defeat Wales 2- on Tuesday
Adhere with Rashford or go for Raheem? Saka again or religion in Foden?
CHRIS SUTTON: I don’t know about you boys, but I maintain flip-flopping. One moment, I’m tempted to come across a tattooist who can ink ‘It’s coming home’ on my brow. The up coming, I’m reminding myself England had been only so superior because Wales were so undesirable!
Marcus Rashford scored twice and that is three objectives in 107 minutes from him at this Entire world Cup now. Southgate can’t return to Raheem Sterling. Not immediately after Rashford’s overall performance versus Wales.
IAN LADYMAN: I concur, Chris. Rashford has to engage in against Senegal. He is England’s type player of the event and we really should appear to harness that.
MARTIN KEOWN: England’s alternatives on the left flank do not cease with Rashford and Sterling, though. We have obtained Jack Grealish and Phil Foden, way too.
Foden looked encouraged when he swapped with Rashford and moved from the proper to the left against Wales. The Metropolis remaining-footer seems comfy there and even though the query is Rashford or Sterling, I’d be tempted to begin Foden on that side towards Senegal.
His craft and directness may be required. It is a tricky decision for Southgate but a nice problem to have!
Phil Foden amazed on his chance in the commencing line-up with a properly-taken target versus Wales
LADYMAN: It is but Bukayo Saka scored twice against Iran and almost never lets England down. So, he receives again in my group with Foden as an effects sub.
KEOWN: I’d go Foden on the remaining and Saka on the proper, this sort of was his efficiency in opposition to Iran. It’s rough on Rashford. But he is a powerful selection as a substitute. He will get minutes. Few nations at this Earth Cup have as numerous selections as England. Like I said, a good challenge.
SUTTON: Saka or Foden is hard. I wouldn’t alter the team from the Wales earn. You don’t start faffing all-around when it will come to knockout soccer. I’d have Rashford on the remaining — his favorite posture — and Foden on the right. It worked properly when they swapped wings so if it isn’t working towards Senegal, we can check out that once again.
SAMI MOKBEL: Rashford, Sterling and Foden could all play if Foden is at No 10 and Jude Bellingham drops back again following to Declan Rice.
Does it make any difference that Kane has not scored?
SUTTON: In a phrase? Nope.
KEOWN: It will subject to Harry, nevertheless. Aims are like oxygen for Kane. He will be battling to breathe until finally he receives a aim. But then this is a movie we have viewed before. Kane didn’t get a target in the group levels of Euro 2020. Then he scored versus Germany in the last 16, Ukraine in the quarters and Denmark in the semis.
From time to time I’d like to see Kane keep bigger up the pitch. But it is not as if England’s striker has not been contributing. Some of his helps have been reminiscent of David Beckham. That small cross for Foden was sublime.
Reigning World Cup Golden Boot winner Harry Kane has nonetheless to score in the Qatar event
SUTTON: As was the cross for Sterling towards Iran, and his established-up for Rashford in the very same video game. He is necessary to England’s play. He is undroppable.
LADYMAN: If there is a person issue about England that doesn’t hassle me, it is this. Kane remains England’s most critical participant, the just one who would get into each individual other crew at this Globe Cup.
He does not will need to rating to be successful. His existence on the workforce sheet unnerves opponents and his existence on the pitch attracts adult males to him and leaves space elsewhere for other folks. And he will score shortly adequate. He just will. Due to the fact he often does.
MOKBEL: It would be a much larger problem if other folks weren’t chipping in. Kane is a goalscorer and it will irk him that he isn’t off the mark. But I concur, he will rating listed here — it is just a issue of time.
1 factor England ought to do superior from Senegal?
MOKBEL: Get started the match with a more quickly tempo. They were being slow out of the traps in the goalless draw towards the United states of america and the to start with half of the acquire more than Wales was like a pre-year activity at situations. Tensions will increase the extended the match goes without having objectives. A quicker begin from England will ease those anxieties.
LADYMAN: I agree. We need to generate a 90-minute functionality and we must make additional odds. The get from Wales was accurately what we wanted but it arrived from weak opposition taking part in with no perception.
Senegal will not be that. England want their finest overall performance arguably because their semi-ultimate win in opposition to Denmark in the Euros — and if they never find it they will be going property.
Kalidou Koulibaly’s excellent volley handed Senegal a crucial 2-1 win from Ecuador on Tuesday
SUTTON: Quit using so lots of touches of the ball. England have experienced troubles playing by way of the center of the park. I want to see us shifting the ball a great deal a lot quicker.
KEOWN: England can’t beneath-estimate Senegal. They are bodily and their 2-1 get more than Ecuador was played at an extraordinary rate. England have to have to get as lots of ball gamers in the workforce as possible.
We need to play Senegal off the park with our football — punish them with our passing — and Southgate has acquired the players to do that.
Stick with a back four? Walker or Trippier?
KEOWN: I cannot see Southgate modifying units for Senegal. If we are setting up towards a quarter-remaining with France, then Walker requires to start out at suitable back. Kylian Mbappe — possibly the swiftest gentleman at this Earth Cup — would be his probable opponent and we want additional crucial minutes for Walker.
SUTTON: Back four, for sure, and I would use Walker way too. Senegal’s most important danger is Ismaila Sarr. In people a person-v-one particular circumstances, who would you back again to stop the skilful Watford winger? I would say Walker is superior at that. The only downside is you drop that established-piece shipping and delivery which arrives with Kieran Trippier.
Kyle Walker returned for England forward of Kieran Trippier having completely recovered from injuries
MOKBEL: The again 4 has obtained them to the final 16, so there must be minor temptation to engage in a 5 versus a team they will be predicted to beat. The minutes Walker performed against Wales will do him the environment of excellent. He has to get started.
LADYMAN: Yep. Back again 4 remember to. And enjoy Walker. His speed scares teams.
Decide on Henderson all over again?
MOKBEL: Sure. These knockout matches are bursting with rigidity — knowledge will be vital and Henderson is as seasoned as they arrive.
The Liverpool captain introduced a regulate to England’s midfield on Tuesday that was lacking towards the United states. Senegal will deliver sterner opposition and Henderson’s guile and robustness will go away England’s attackers with a reliable platform to wreak havoc.
LADYMAN: Completely right, Sami. The one matter that worked over all towards Wales was that midfield triangle of Rice-Henderson-Bellingham.
Henderson is skilled and the captain of Liverpool. Why any individual would not want him in their team baffles me. The base furnished by Rice and Henderson on Tuesday enabled Bellingham to perform additional forward, without the need of the have to have to glance about his shoulder. There is no motive why we should not request him to do that all over again.
Jordan Henderson handed England extra safety in midfield together with Jude Bellingham
SUTTON: Yep. Begin Henderson. Senegal are really actual physical and England will be analyzed in this previous-16 tie. Not only is Henderson good on the ball, he is assured to be up for the midfield battle.
KEOWN: Comprehensive house! England missed Henderson’s knowledge towards the Usa. After looking at how he changed Mason Mount for the Wales activity, Henderson holds on to his place. I’m not sure he will engage in the whole 90 but I hope him to begin.
Do England need to practise their corners?
LADYMAN: Certainly. And they will be.
KEOWN: England experienced 6 corners in opposition to Wales, all taken by Foden. Just about all of them have been deep and hung up in the air for Harry Maguire or John Stones to meet. England’s sixth corner in stoppage time saw Maguire head the ball back again across the six-yard box for Stones, who should have scored.
It was the similar against Iran. Luke Shaw’s deep out-swinging corner was fulfilled by Maguire, whose header teed up Saka to rating. Probably England could do with some perform on established-pieces, but we nonetheless look dangerous from them.
Harry Maguire is a risk for England at established parts but has however to find the internet at this Entire world Cup
SUTTON: I want England to practise all the things, corners involved. 9 of England’s 12 objectives at the 2018 Environment Cup arrived from established-parts — they are vital. But really don’t neglect to practise your penalties, much too, just in case!
MOKBEL: England have scored 9 aims so much. So as substantially as Southgate and his staff invest time working on set-performs, they are unlikely to be anxious about scoring from corners proper now.
How considerably will England go?
KEOWN: You hardly ever want to just take your eyes off your next opponent and this is a rough Senegal side. But we both equally claimed the same in our pre-Environment Cup predictions, Chris, that England would get to the quarter-finals, in which we would likely meet up with the holders France. That may perhaps now transpire.
If so, that could transform into the sport of the match. I anxiety the French will finally confirm also robust for us in the quarters. But like I explained at the begin of the World Cup, I hope I’m completely wrong.
Gareth Southgate’s side will perform France or Poland in the quarter-finals if they defeat Senegal
SUTTON: I’m scared to glimpse over and above Senegal, Martin. If we have discovered a person matter from Saudi Arabia, Japan and Morocco, it is that there are no gimmes at this Entire world Cup. England are favourites to beat Senegal, specifically as they are missing Sadio Mane, but groups have beloved building a mockery of the odds in Qatar.
I predicted England would get to the quarter-finals and then for our coats as we head residence. But right before a probable super showdown with France, we have got to get beyond Senegal initial.
MOKBEL: Yep. Quarter-finals. Senegal will provide Southgate’s hardest take a look at so far — but it is a person you would assume them to move. France on the other hand…
LADYMAN: I’m scared I concur. I have a nagging emotion that this England group does not quite have the dependable stage of efficiency in it that it needs to beat a definitely superior group.