Wales 0-3 England – England top Group B and through to World Cup knockout rounds

England made it through to the last 16 thanks to a dominant second-half display against UK rivals Wales. All three goals were made in Manchester thanks to a brace from Marcus Rashford and the other from Phil Foden.

In the first-half, neither team looked like making the breakthrough, but it was clear that England was more in control. They did have one chance when Harry Kane played in Rashford but Danny Ward was quick off his line to block any form of shot.

Harry Maguire found space to run into from the back line shortly after, but his attempted cross flew over everyone and went out for a throw-in. It really summed up England’s first 45 minutes.

Rashford nearly managed to recreate Richarlison’s goal against Serbia, but his effort went well wide of the target.

Joe Allen had Wales’ only chance right at the end of the first-half, however, his shot on the turn flew over Pickford’s goal with no danger.

HT: 0-0

Five minutes into the second-half, Rashford broke the deadlock with a magnificent free-kick, curling the ball into the top right-hand corner. Ward had absolutely no chance to stop it. This was the first free-kick goal at a World Cup since Kieran Trippier’s in the semi-final against Croatia back in 2018.

Rashford’s goal got England back into the mood they experienced against Iran in their first game, as just one minute later, Rashford chased down Ben Davies to win the ball back and Kane picked up the scraps to fire the ball across the box to Foden, who tapped in from close range. The England fans behind the goal were sent into ruptures.

Dan James had the opportunity to pull one back for his nation when he brought the ball from the left-hand side to the edge of the box, but his effort just skimmed past the post.

Pickford’s only real save came when Kieffer Moore took a shot from distance, which rebounded off Maguire’s head, seeing the England number one have to change his positioning quickly to push the ball out for a corner.

England finished the scoring when substitute Kalvin Phillips played a ball over the Welsh defence to Rashford who did all the work to make his way into the box and smash the ball past Ward who couldn’t keep it out with his foot. This was England’s 100th World Cup goal.

England had made various substitutes throughout the game to rest starters but that didn’t see the tempo drop as chances from Foden, Rashford and Stones could have seen The Three Lions score even more, late on.

FT: 0-3

England will now face Group A runners-up Senegal on Sunday at 7pm GMT. This is a fixture that England should be confident favourites to win but with how this World Cup has played out so far, anything can happen.

Gareth Southgate made four chances to the side that started back-to-back games in this tournament, so it will be interesting to see what he chooses for his side’s first knockout game.

Wales Starting XI: Ward, N. Williams (36), Mepham, Rodon, B. Davies, Allen (81), Ampadu, Bale (45), Ramsey, James (77), Moore

Subs: Gunter, Wilson (77), Johnson (45), Roberts (36), Morrell (59), Lockyer, J. Williams, Harris, A. Davies, Thomas, Levitt, Cabango, Colwill (81), Smith

England Starting XI: Pickford, Walker (57), Stones, Maguire, Shaw (65), Henderson, Rice (58), Bellingham, Foden, Kane (58), Rashford (76)

Subs: Grealish (76), Sterling, Trippier (65), Pope, Phillips (58), Dier, Coady, Saka, Alexander-Arnold (57), Mount, Ramsdale, Wilson (58), Maddison, Gallagher

Attendance: 44,297

Man of the Match: Marcus Rashford