England 3-0 Senegal: Player ratings as Bellingham inspires England to quarter final
By Mitch Wilks
England eventually breezed their into the World Cup quarter final with a 3-0 victory over Senegal on Sunday night.
The Three Lions showed their vulnerabilities in the first half but perked up as Senegal faltered and crucially found a scoring touch to set up a tantalising last eight clash with France.
Senegal had the clamps on a shaky England in the first 40 minutes, but failed to convert chances and were punished for it towards the end of the half. That took the steam out of them completely, and Gareth Southgate's side managed to see out proceedings comfortably with the AFCON champions chasing the game.
Quality was lacking and nerves were evidently running high in the opening 20 minutes, with neither side able to truly settle into a rhythm and take a hold of the game. England asked questions of Edouard Mendy with a handful of crosses, while Senegal looked capable of pulling ahead when catching the Three Lions being sloppy on the ball around their own penalty area.
A misplaced pass from Harry Maguire gifted Senegal a brilliant chance to open the scoring, but the first effort was blocked by John Stones and the second smothered by Jordan Pickford. Hearts were in mouths for a moment as VAR checked for a potential handball against the Manchester City man, but the check was swiftly over.
Another England error gifted Senegal a second opportunity to take the lead. Bukayo Saka gave the ball away in his own half after half an hour, allowing Ismaila Sarr to pick out Boulaye Dia, whose shot was pawed away brilliantly by Pickford.
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Aliou Cisse's side smelled blood in the final 10 minutes of the half and upped the tempo. But just as they did, England found one moment of quality and managed to make it count. Harry Kane dropped deep and picked out Jude Bellingham's clever dart into the half space. He then squared for Jordan Henderson, who fired beyond Mendy for 1-0.
Bellingham was again influential as England doubled their lead on the cusp of half-time, winning the ball back and slaloming forward before unleashing Phil Foden. He then squared for Harry Kane, who finished off a slick counter attack with his first goal in Qatar.
Senegal returned to the pitch having made three changes, knowing they now had to throw the kitchen sink at the game if they wanted to spark a comeback.
That suited England, who were now looking settled and able to play into the spaces that continued to open up. They did that seamlessly to make it 3-0, with Bellingham and Kane again instrumental.
Their tidy work allowed Phil Foden plenty of room to fire a low cross into the box to Bukayo Saka who, largely unchallenged, dinked over Mendy very coolly.
A three-goal cushion was asking too much of Senegal, whose three half-time substitutions had been unsuccessful in swinging momentum back into their hands. England managed the game professionally in the final half an hour, maintaining a disciplined shape, improving their passing and rotating where needed.
Game management was the dominant story in the closing stages - and one of the more impressive aspects of England's performance. While they absolutely cannot afford to start against France like they did against Senegal, the way they improved throughout the night is undoubtedly another positive.
England player ratings (4-3-3)
GK: Jordan Pickford - 7/10 - Came up with the goods to keep England in the game throughout the first half.
RB: Kyle Walker - 5/10 - A worryingly unconvincing display from the man who is usually vital to England's best stuff. Will need to pick up next time out, given who occupies his flank for France.
CB: John Stones - 5/10 - Not helped by his midfielders, but very careless in possession and lacked concentration at times.
CB: Harry Maguire - 5/10 - Ditto. Too slow to move on the ball, despite not being helped out by those ahead of him, and put his side under pressure on more than one occasion. His least convincing performance to date in Qatar.
LB: Luke Shaw - 6/10 - Unable to bomb beyond the line of defence and test Mendy. A shame.
CM: Jordan Henderson - 8/10 - That's one way to silence the critics, Hendo. Burst into the box and smashed one in. Clutch.
CM: Declan Rice - 6/10 - Worked hard in the middle of the park, but his end product was inconsistent.
CM: Jude Bellingham - 9/10 - Took up some really clever positions to initiate the counterpress and win the ball back high up for England. Tremendous run and weight of pass to assist Henderson. Such an intelligent player.
RW: Bukayo Saka - 6/10 - Woeful first half, but made amends after the break by putting England three goals up in the second. Really clever finish.
ST: Harry Kane - 8/10 - Form is temporary, class is permanent. The best scorers don't panic about dry spells and Kane is the example. Showed the range to his game tonight.
LW: Phil Foden - 7/10 - Not consistently in the game, but when he was, he excelled. Drags players out of position and hurdles challenges so well.
Substitutes
Jack Grealish - 6/10
Marcus Rashford - 6/10
Mason Mount - 5/10
Eric Dier - 5/10
Manager
Gareth Southgate - 6/10 - By no means perfect, but perfection doesn't guarantee trophies. His side were fortunate not to fall behind, but crucially they responded well and managed the game with experience in the second half.
Senegal player ratings (4-2-3-1)
GK: Edouard Mendy - 4/10 - A big bag of nerves whenever the ball came anywhere near him.
RB: Youssouf Sabaly - 4/10 - Had no idea how to shut down the space and stop Bellingham's penetrative runs.
CB: Kalidou Koulibaly - 6/10 - Left for dead by his colleagues. Not a lot he could do.
CB: Abdou Diallo - 4/10 - Couldn't get near England's attackers, particularly as the game stretched.
LB: Ismail Jakobs - 3/10 - Failed to contain Saka once England got going and was regularly caught out positionally. A performance that lacked confidence.
DM: Pathe Ciss - 4/10 - Swept up aerially but wasn't progressive enough in possession. Clear to see why he was taken off for the second half with Senegal two down.
DM: Nampalys Mendy - 3/10 - Was pulled apart by Bellingham and Henderson.
RW: Krepin Diatta - 6/10 - Unfortunate to be hooked at half-time, but was much less industrious than Sarr on the opposite flank.
AM: Iliman Ndiaye - 5/10 - Drew players towards him and opened up space, but lacked the finesse when it mattered. Sacrificed after 45 minutes.
LW: Ismaila Sarr - 7/10 - Really sharp in the first half. Pressed intelligently and sprayed out key passes to his colleagues.
ST: Boulaye Dia - 6/10 - Very unlucky not to score in the first half; forced a brilliant save out of Pickford. Faded after the break, much like the rest of his team.
Substitutes
Bamba Dieng - 5/10 - Not provided with any quality service.
Pape Gueye - 5/10 - Failed to bring his side back into control of the game.
Pape Sarr - 6/10 - Swept up well in the middle.
Famara Diedhiou - 5/10
Manager
Aliou Cisse - 5/10 - Lacking their star man in Sadio Mane, Senegal can exit with their heads held high, if a little frustrated. Two smart saves was the difference in the first half. Cisse tried to insitgate change, but it didn't pay off.