The fourth pre-quarterfinal match of FIFA World Cup 2022 was played on between African champions Senegal and Euro 2020 runners-up England.
After early control by Senegal, England scored two first half goals and one in the second half for a comfortable 3-0 win over the African Champions.
The match started with Senegal having initial control of play and England struggling to stich passes together.
England defenders found it difficult to find the space to pass to their midfielders, while Senegal were prepared not to press in England’s half without the ball.
Neither team could find a shot on goal till the 29th minute when Senegal forward Dia made a good strike at England’s goal but England keeper Pickford got a strong arm to it and made a good save to deny Senegal the lead.
Senegal had a good spell during the period and their speed and agility was causing problems for the English backline.
However, against the run of play, England scored a goal through a Jordan Henderson goal in the 38th minute.
Harry Kane released a through ball to Jude Bellingham who made a good run to the left before cutting back a pass to the middle.
Henderson scored with a cool perfectly placed shot to the far corner to give England the lead.
𝐉 𝐔 𝐃 𝐄 ➡️ 𝐇 𝐄 𝐍 𝐃 𝐎 #ENG | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/8CjhoenE12
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 4, 2022
England caught Senegal in the counter-attack again when Jude Bellingham collected a ball from England’s half and made a good run before releasing the ball to Phil Foden on the left.
Phil Foden made a low cross and it was met by Harry Kane, who sent a powerful shot to the net to score England’s second goal with the last kick of the first half.
Saka ⚽️
Bellingham 🅰️
Foden 🅰️🅰️@England is in good hands for the future 💫 pic.twitter.com/2dQXXOpIPP— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 4, 2022
Harry Kane who won the golden boot with six goals in 2018 World Cup scored his first goal of Qatar 2022.
Up and Running 💥#ENG | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/H0ToqQ4ROK
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 4, 2022
Senegal made three attacking changes after the interval. However, they could not break though the England defence.
Saka scored England’s third goal in the 57th minute when Foden raced down the left and delivered a perfectly weighted pass which was turned in into the net with a delicate chip.
Saka continued his fine form scoring his third goal of the World Cup 2022.
Second Half is underway at the Al Bayt Stadium!#ENG v #SEN#FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 4, 2022
Senegal had more shots on goal (9) than England (8) but only one shot on target which was in the 29th minute. As in the other games, Senegal seemed to have badly missed the services of Sadio Mane, their talismanic forward who could not participate in the tournament due to injury.
England cruise to the quarterfinals where they will take on the defending World Champions France.
