Qatar 2022: England Brush Aside African Champions Senegal

The three Lions notably with Kane’s first goal at the 2022 World Cup, heavily defeated Senegal three-nil on Sunday to set up an enthralling quarter final against defending champions France, on Saturday December 10 at 8 p.m.

England sharply dismissed Senegal with a first goal from Harry Kane on Sunday in the round of 16 of the World Cup, a victory which opens the doors to the quarter-finals.

It was the first time in history that these nations met.

The first twenty minutes were calm and balanced, with no real scoring opportunity except for a breakthrough from Boulaye Dia at the fourth minute and a header from central defender John Stones over a corner courtesy a Phil Foden cross.

At the 23rd minute, the Senegal scared the English when, a cross from Krépin Diatta was well taken by Boulaye Dia and stopped by Stones (with the involuntary help of his arm), Ismaila Sarr pounced on the ball while near the goal line, but dragged his shot over.

Stunned, the English then came out to fight back and the game completely turned on its head. From on a smoothly led counter, Jude Bellingham, ideally launched by Harry Kane, placed for Jordan Henderson whose attempt wrong-footed Edouard Mendy, the Chelsea goalkeeper at the 38th minute.

Two minutes later a new opportunity came for England: a cross from Bukayo Saka found Kane. The latter was unbalanced and didn’t quite recover, so his right footed shot went over at the 41st minute.

Kane’s goal was only postponed but the skipper was meant to score at some point. The captain of the Three Lions scored in added time of the first period, with a nice strike at the conclusion of a counter-attack initiated by Bellingham and relayed by Foden in borrowed time (45+3).

The Tottenham man thus opened his goal tally in the World Cup, after he finished top scorer in the previous one, with six goals.

The English domination then turned to demonstration in the 57th minute: a cross from Foden on the left side found Saka who beat Ismail Jakobs and scored. The goal put a damper on the songs and festive mode of the many Senegalese in the stands.

England, vice-champions of Europe at home in 2021 and semi-finalists of the World Cup-2018 in Russia, therefore continues its path towards perhaps a second world title after that of 1966 at home.

For African champions Senegal, a repeat their feat of 2002 could not be attained.