English national anthem is played before World Cup match with Senegal kicks off
England face Senegal in a World Cup last 16 clash in Qatar. After finishing top of Group B to qualify for the knockout stages, England’s bid to win the World Cup starts to get serious with a place in the quarter-finals on the line. England had to endure penalties as they beat Colombia at this stage in Russia four years ago, and Gareth Southgate will be hoping there is less tension tonight against Senegal.
In what has been a wildly unpredictable World Cup so far, England’s path to the last 16 was rather more serene than some of the other tournament contenders. Despite the boos that followed the goalless draw with the USA, England thrashed both Iran and Wales and finished the group stage as the tournament’s top scorers. Marcus Rashford’s double against Wales had given Southgate a selection headache, but Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden were instead preferred with Raheem Sterling unavailable for selection and dealing with a family matter.
This is England’s first meeting with Senegal, who remain a threat despite the absence of injured star Sadio Mane. Senegal are the champions of Africa and reached the last 16 by defeating Ecuador in a crunch clash in Group A. Aliou Cisse’s side are experienced and know how to deliver on the big stage, while the Lions of Teranga will be motivated by the chance to become the first African team to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the second time.
Follow all the action from England vs Senegal with our live blog below:
GOAL! England 2-0 Senegal (Kane, 45+3’)⚽️
45+3 mins: Harry Kane gets his goal! England have their second! It’s a great counter-attack from Gareth Southgate’s men.
Jude Bellingham nicks the ball back just outside his own box before driving into midfield and working his way around three defenders before feeding the ball up to Phil Foden on the left.
Foden continues to carry the ball up the the final third and slides one over to Harry Kane who nudges it into the box and blasts a shot past Edouard Mendy to double England’s lead!
Michael Jones4 December 2022 19:48
England 1-0 Senegal
45 mins: Declan Rice evades a tackle inside his own half and storms down the right wing. His low cross gets turned behind and England win a corner.
Phil Foden delivers a high ball to the far side of the box where Harry Maguire is beaten to it by Kalidou Koulibaly who nods the ball clear.
Two minutes of added time to play.
Michael Jones4 December 2022 19:46
England 1-0 Senegal
42 mins: Chance! England change their method of attack as Jordan Pickford pings a long ball up the pitch. It’s played over to Bukayo Saka on the right wing who drives up to the edge of the box before picking out Harry Kane in the area.
The ball is slightly behind Kane but he manages to get a shot away and lifts it over the crossbar!
Michael Jones4 December 2022 19:42
GOAL! England 1-0 Senegal (Henderson, 39’)⚽️
39 mins: England lead! The Three Lions defend the free kick and work the ball down the left wing. Harry Kane drops deep to recover the ball and spins towards goal.
He threads a pass into Jude Bellingham who carries the ball into the box before pulling it back to Jordan Henderson. Henderson makes his run from deep but there’s no one around as the ball comes to him and he turns it confidently into the back of the net!
Michael Jones4 December 2022 19:38
England 0-0 Senegal
36 mins: Foden and Bellingham try to get the ball into the box from the left but they’re forced to retreat. England then pass the ball backwards once again before slowly sending it over to Kyle Walker on the right.
He tussles with Ismaila Sarr who wins the ball and then gets pulled down by Walker for a Senegal free kick.
Michael Jones4 December 2022 19:37
England 0-0 Senegal
33 mins: England need to wake up. They need to move the ball quicker and actually start running around the pitch. So far they’ve been very complacent and unimaginative.
Saka’s mistake almost cost them a goal and Jordan Pickford is letting the players know that.
Michael Jones4 December 2022 19:34
England 0-0 Senegal
30 mins: Save! Incredible work from Jordan Pickford. England continue to dally and mess up. Bukayo Saka gives the ball away to Ismaila Sarr who flicks the ball into the box for Boulaye Dia.
Dia works it into space and shoots but Pickford sticks out a left-hand and manages to keep the ball out!
Michael Jones4 December 2022 19:32
England 0-0 Senegal
27 mins: It’s all too slow from England. They’re struggling to get through the Senegal press and feed the creative players higher up the pitch.
Senegal are just keeping their shape tight and waiting for the mistakes to come from the defenders trying to thread the ball through the lines.
Michael Jones4 December 2022 19:28
England 0-0 Senegal
24 mins: Chance! Harry Maguire gives the ball away and Senegal break into the box. The cross comes over to Boulaye Dia who is up against John Stones.
Senegal’s striker flicks the ball on and it bounces into the six-yard box off Stones’ hand. Isamaila Sarr is on hand to get to the loose ball but he lifts it over the crossbar!
That’s a warning sign for England.
Michael Jones4 December 2022 19:24
England 0-0 Senegal
21 mins: Close! Phil Foden swings in the corner ball for England and picks out John Stones’ run towards the near post. The ball arrives just before Stones and it hits him on the shoulder before looping high and wide of the target.
Stones is visibly disappointed with that effort.
Michael Jones4 December 2022 19:21