England makes an “intense” and shows shame of riches

After England’s tough goalless draw with the United States, manager Gareth Southgate made four changes for the crucial game against Wales.

It turned out to be an inspired decision, with the pair who scored all three of England’s goals send his team to the round of 16 as Group B winners.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Southgate said he was impressed by how they produced the big names who have had to step into the roles of players in this England team when it counted.

“Watching a lot of games the big players have stepped up,” he said. “Our forwards didn’t do it in the first half, but they did in the second half.

“Goals are needed from all areas. It’s a problem for the opposition if the threat comes from other areas of the pitch. It’s competition for places and people have to deliver.”

The 3-0 win over Wales showed Southgate’s side’s embarrassment of riches, and how even when first-choice players are left out, England are still capable of scaring players.

Bukayo Saka scored twice in the group opener against Iran, while Raheem Sterling was also on the scoresheet.

Both failed to produce against the USA and were benched on Tuesday night when Rashford and Foden came on.

On this evidence, it could be difficult for either Sterling or Saka to regain their places, although Southgate would have few worries about reintroducing two of his most reliable charges without disrupting the momentum England have rediscovered.

For Foden and Rashford, their starring roles justified Southgate’s decision to pick them.

Foden was an unused substitute against the United States, much to the dismay of many England fans and pundits. The Manchester City star has not always taken his club form to international level, but against Wales he showed the wit and flair that the Three Lions lacked last Friday night.

For Rashford, it has been an impressive return to the international scene after not playing for England between the Euro 2020 final and the opening game of this World Cup.

Rashford missed a penalty in the Euro final shoot-out against Italy, while Foden did not play through injury. Both threw off whatever mental shackles they may have had left over from that night at Wembley with their performances.

Although England could not find a breakthrough in the first half against Wales, Rashford and Foden were the main threats.

In the first 45 minutes, the pair had more shots: Rashford with three, Foden two.

A few tweaks at half-time: Southgate switched the pair on the wing for the second half, Rashford dropped down the right with Foden on the left, they provided England with the spark they needed, and two goals in 98 seconds shortly after the break was their reward. .

The first goal was a stellar free-kick from Rashford, the first direct free-kick scored at Qatar 2022, meaning the last two goals scored at the World Cup have both been by English players, after the goal by Kieran Trippier v Croatia in the semi-final. final in Russia 2018.

It wasn’t just in attack when England showed the terrifying depth they possess at their best. In midfield, Jordan Henderson replaced Mason Mount and provided the necessary control and direction to completely dominate the pace of the match.

He was replaced shortly after England’s second goal by Kalvin Phillips, who needed the minutes denied to Manchester City by both injury and a reduced squad. Even against limited opposition, the former Leeds man showed flashes that prove again why Southgate rates him so highly.

In defence, Kyle Walker played for the first time in Qatar and looked calm from the injury that kept him out of the Iran and USA games.

From the bench, Jack Grealish once again produced a lightning cameo full of attacking intent. There wasn’t even room to give James Maddison a World Cup bow, after he was finally available for Southgate following his own fitness issues.

It is still in attack where England have the most enviable depth – the nine goals they have scored in Qatar so far are their most in any group stage, and mean they are now just four off their best tally at a major tournament .

All this without Kane getting on the scoresheet yet, as he remains stuck two goals short of Wayne Rooney’s all-time record. Not that the captain wasn’t pulling his weight – he set up Foden’s goal, taking his assists to three so far.

He is the first England player to record as many assists at a World Cup since one of his predecessors with the armband, David Beckham, in 2002.

All of which leaves Southgate with a serious selection headache for the round of 16 meeting with Senegal on Sunday evening. It’s a pain, but he’ll gladly take it.

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