Englandfar superior to its neighbor Welshprevailed this Tuesday in Doha in the British duel 3-0, with a decisive performance by Marcus Rashford, finishing in first position in the World Cup Group Bafter what Senegal awaits in the round of 16.
Rashford, who scored a brace, was involved in all three goals. He scored the first free kick (50), while on the next play he stole a ball in an action that ended with a goal from Phil Foden (51).
To close a great night, he scored the third goal in a personal move in which he got rid of the Welsh defense (68).
With this victory, England led the table, with seven points, followed, with five, by the United States, who defeated Iran 1-0, and who will face the Netherlands in the round of 16, who finished top of the table. Group A.
England imposed its quality from the start, against a more physical team like Wales, which only a miracle classified to the round of 16. But there was the pride of winning a World Cup against its British neighbor.
The thousands of Welsh people present at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Doha put their souls into singing their country’s anthem, “The land of my fathers”, with such passion that it seemed they were going to be hoarse.
Great command of English
In their second World Cup, the first since Sweden-1958, the only time they were there, they faced their neighbors, whom they have not won since 1984.
But the English dominance was stifling, with 77% possession in the first 20 minutes, although it did not translate into goals against a well-ordered Welsh defense of four.
But with that overwhelming dominance, the chances did not come, with the exception of one very clear one in the 9th minute, when Rashford found space between the grouped rival defense in a pass through the hole to be left alone in front of the goalkeeper.
Although the goalkeeper Danny Ward guessed the intention of the Manchester United striker and rejected his shot.
With the midfield and defensive lines close together and locked in their turf, Wales managed to defend very well, offering England almost no chance, but at the same time it seemed like a miracle that the Dragons won.
England seemed to find more space in the final part of the first half, with a beautiful move that ended with a high shot from Foden (38) and a kick from Rashford’s chile (39) that went wide.
Bale, without receiving the ball, wandered around the field, while his team hit the goal for the first time in discount, with a shot inside the box by Joe Allen, who went high.
Substituted bullet
And coach Rob Page decided to switch Bale after the break and bring on Brennan Johnson.
At the start of the restart it was precisely Rashford, the great protagonist of the first part, who changed the course of the game.
First, the United player slipped the ball into the Welsh nets with a masterful free kick (50), making it 1-0,
And then he stole a ball from Welsh left-back Ben Davies, bouncing it to Harry Kane, who crossed from the right for Foden to score from close range (51).
With the game settled, a masterful play by Rashford came from the right, without being stopped by the Welsh defenders, he got into the area and beat Ward low (68).
Rashford, who has three goals in the World Cup, having scored one in the debut win against Iran (6-2), would be substituted in the 76th minute.
The young English player could feel satisfied. Mission accomplished. Thanks to him, England secured top spot in the group.
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