Qatar: England easily defeated Wales by controlling the majority of possession throughout the game after scoring three goals within 18 minutes in the second half. Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden both scored to put England into the last 16 of the World Cup with a 3-0 victory over Wales.
England coach Gareth Southgate opted to add both players to the starting lineup for the team’s final Group B match and they responded with three goals, two from Rashford and the other from Foden. Senegal will be England’s next opponent in the round of 16. Wales was eliminated after placing last in its group.
To enter the round of 16, Wales needed to either beat England and hope Iran and USA ended in a draw or pursue the more unlikely outcome of running up a four-goal victory margin at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium. Rashford fired a free-kick past Danny Ward following Ethan Ampadu’s foul on Phil Foden after 50 minutes, with the Manchester City midfielder then marking his return to England’s team moments later by turning in Harry Kane’s cross at the far post.
In the 68th minute, Rashford got his second goal with a lot of help from Wales keeper Ward, who came in for suspended Wayne Hennessey following his red card against Iran and allowed a ferocious shot to slide through his legs. Wales were disappointed to learn that they were leaving Qatar.
England finished first in Group B with seven points, two points ahead of the United States, who beat Iran 1-0 in their rivalry game to advance to the round of 16, and Wales came in last with one point.