FIFA World Cup: Live match: England vs Senegal Preview and prediction

That performance seemed out of place after their spectacular 6-2 demolition of Iran in their first game and Tuesday's expert 3-0 victory over Wales to seal an anticipated top spot. With the scoring from Saka (2), Bellingham, Grealish, and Sterling in the opening game and the goals from Rashford (2) and Foden against Wales, coach Gareth Southgate has an abundance of youthful midfield talent at his disposal. Harry Kane is also itching to score as well.

Senegal had to fight hard to earn the runner-up berth in Group A, especially after getting off to a rough start when two late goals from the Netherlands handed the African nation a 2-0 loss. To advance to the qualification final against Ecuador, they had to win their match against Qatar (3-1). Kalidou Koulibaly was the Senegal hero, scoring the game-winning goal just three minutes after the Ecuadorians cancelled out Ismaila Sarr's first-half penalty.

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The first-ever full international meeting between Senegal and England promises to be an intriguing battle of different styles. Senegal has demonstrated enough to suggest that they may be a handful for England's relatively inexperienced defence. They appear to have learnt how to function without Sadio Mane. Southgate has an abundance of attacking talent on the other end who should generate enough offence moving forward to compensate for any defensive weaknesses he may be concerned about.