Marcus Rashford’s second-half brace fired England to 3-0 win against Wales, which secured a Round of 16 spot at 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Following a competitive first-half, Rashford curled England in front from a free-kick in the 50th minute after Phil Foden had been fouled.
Rashford then intercepted Ben Davies which enabled Harry Kane to tee up Foden to double the Three Lions’ lead just over 60 seconds later.
Victory eventually was assured in the 68th minute as Rashford fired in his second goal to ensure England advanced to the Round of 16 as Group B winners, whilst Wales crashed out bottom of the group.
USA meanwhile beat Iran 1-0 to finish second in the group, courtesy of Christian Pulisic’s close-range strike from Sergino Dest’s pass in the 38th minute despite Iran controversially being denied an injury-time spot-kick.
England will now face Senegal in the Round of 16 on Sunday 4 December (10pm AST), whilst USA will take on Netherlands on Saturday 3 December (6pm AST).
A quiet opening five minutes saw England dominate possession despite struggling to breach Wales’ disciplined defence, yet it would be a further five minutes before Declan Rice unleashed Marcus Rashford with a through ball which Wales goalkeeper, Danny Ward blocked with his left arm.
Foden and Harry Maguire then both wasted chances which both began from free-kicks whipped in by Luke Shaw.
Wales’ Neco Williams meanwhile suffered concussion symptoms after making a headed clearance of Rashford’s 24th minute powerful shot on the top of his head, which led to him eventually being substituted for Conor Roberts after 12 further minutes on the pitch bravely battling on.
Foden meanwhile missed a huge chance to fire the Three Lions ahead in the 38th minute as he picked up Jude Bellingham’s pass, only for the Manchester City youngster to curl his shot over the bar on the turn.
Rashford then missed his own chance just two minutes later as he produced a bicycle-kick shot which flew wide of the top left corner.
Wales though were unable to get any shots onto target before half-time as England finished in firm control, despite having wasted several first-half chances, including multiple corner-kicks.
At half-time, England sat top of Group B ahead of USA who leapfrogged Iran into second with a 1-0 lead at the break, courtesy of Pulisic’s 38th minute goal.
Wales though weren’t able to mount the same defensive discipline after half-time as Roberts fouled Foden just outside of the box in the 49th minute, from which Rashford curled the free-kick across into top right corner beyond Ward’s reach a minute later.
Rashford then turned playmaker barely 60 seconds later as he intercepted Ben Davies with a flick, which Harry Kane gathered and bent low across goal for Foden to lash in to double the Three Lions’ lead.
Daniel James and Kieffer Moore then both saw chances to quickly restore parity denied as James curled wide of the top-right corner in the 55th minute, before Pickford punched Moore’s shot away two minutes later.
Rashford eventually secured victory and top spot in Group B for England as he latched onto substitute, Kalvin Phillips’ 68th minute pass and cut across into the box, from which he rifled in via a deflection from Ward to score England’s 100th goal in the World Cup.
Ward four minutes later denied Rashford his hat-trick with a crucial save of the Englishman’s shot following a neat pass from Callum Wilson, before making a 78th minute save to deny Bellingham.
John Stones missed a chance in injury-time to score his fourth international goal as he fired over the bar from a knockdown pass via an initial corner to left post.
England eventually cruised to a comfortable victory which saw them top Group B and set up a Round of 16 tie against Senegal on Sunday 4 December at 10pm AST local time (7pm UK Time), whilst Wales were eliminated and finished rock-bottom in the group.
Teams
Wales: Danny Ward, Neco Williams (Roberts 36′), Chris Mepham, Joe Rodon, Ben Davies (Morrell 59′), Aaron Ramsey, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Allen (Colwill 81′), Gareth Bale (Johnson 45′), Kieffer Moore, Daniel James (Wilson 77′)
Substitutes: Chris Gunter, Harry Wilson, Brennan Johnson, Connor Roberts, Joe Morrell, Tom Lockyer, Jonny Williams, Mark Harris, Adam Davies, Sorba Thomas, Dylan Levitt, Ben Cabango, Rubin Colwill, Matthew Smith
England: Jordan Pickford, Kyle Walker (Alexander-Arnold 57′), John Stones, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw (Trippier 65′), Jordan Henderson, Declan Rice (Phillips 58′), Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Harry Kane (Wilson 57′), Marcus Rashford (Grealish 76′)
Substitutes: Jack Grealish, Raheem Sterling, Kieran Trippier, Nick Pope, Kalvin Phillips, Eric Dier, Conor Coady, Bukayo Saka, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mason Mount, Aaron Ramsdale, Callum Wilson, James Maddison, Conor Gallagher
Referee: Slavko Vincic (Slovenia)
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