FIFA World Cup: Marcus Rashford-inspired England send Wales packing from World Cup
Two goals from Marcus Rashford and one from Phil Foden helped England beat Wales 3-0 to win Group B and qualify for the round of 16 at the World Cup.
Marcus Rashford Stars As England Sink WalesThe loss and the USA's 1-0 win over Iran leave Wales in last place in the group and out of the tournament.
England's reward is a meeting with Senegal in the round of 16 on Sunday. By that time, Robert Page's team will have long since left Qatar after their first appearance on the world stage in 64 years ended in frustration.
England set the tone for much of the first half but failed to impose themselves, with Rashford having the best chance to score the opening goal. He failed in a one-on-one with Wales goalkeeper Danny Ward and fired a bicycle kick high and wide.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">England hit three and finish top of Group B 🏴 <br><br>Job done 👏 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIFAWorldCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIFAWorldCup</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Qatar2022?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Qatar2022</a></p>— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIFAWorldCup/status/1597695676309295104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
England finally went ahead five minutes into the second half. Joe Rodon fouled Foden and Rashford fired the resulting free-kick over Ward and into the net.
Foden doubled the lead three minutes later after a wonderful square ball from Harry Kane on England's right set him up to stroke home.
Rashford then cut inside from his right and went on a marauding run before smashing England's third goal past Ward in the 68th minute.
The Manchester United striker came very close to his hat trick shortly after, but this time, Ward was able to stick out his leg and block his effort.
Rashford, who started his first game for England since June 2021, was given a standing ovation after his substitution.
England's third goal against Wales was their 100th in a World Cup finals tournament. They are now the seventh team to reach the triple digits in the overall tally, led by Brazil with 231, and the second at this year's tournament after Spain.