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How England turned it on to send Wales crashing out of World Cup

Marcus Rashford of England celebrates after scoring their team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between Wales and England at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on November 29, 2022 in Doha, Qatar - Shaun Botterill - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Marcus Rashford of England celebrates after scoring their team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between Wales and England at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on November 29, 2022 in Doha, Qatar - Shaun Botterill - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

England progressed to the knockout stage of the 2022 World Cup with a comfortable victory against Wales. It took a while for Gareth Southgate's side to make the breakthrough, going in 0-0 at the half, but looked a sharper and more incisive team in the second half, with two quick-fire goals.

Mike McGrath goes through where England took the lead and downed Wales.

Dominating the passing

During some periods of the game, England’s passing numbers were tenfold of their opponents in attacking areas. They were playing a very patient game with the object of their possession to gain control of the game and try to pull Wales out of shape and wait for a gap or loss of concentration.

They build up from the back, with Harry Maguire acting as a playmaker from centre-back and showing a range of passing, sending balls out to the wings to try and send his forwards away. John Stones also played passes forward, while Jordan Henderson was looking to get balls into the penalty area with crosses from the inside right position.

John Stones of England (R) battles for possession with Aaron Ramsey of Wales (L) during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between Wales and England at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on November 29, 2022 in Doha, Qatar - Markus Gilliar - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images
John Stones of England (R) battles for possession with Aaron Ramsey of Wales (L) during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between Wales and England at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on November 29, 2022 in Doha, Qatar - Markus Gilliar - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images

England found their way through early on when Harry Kane spotted Marcus Rashford running behind the Wales defence and it was only Danny Ward rushing out quickly and saving well with an arm that prevented a goal. The patience required a high level of maturity from Jude Bellingham, whose inclusion meant he was the energy in midfield as Mason Mount dropped to the bench. The Borussia Dortmund midfielder’s high pass completion belies his teenage years and he looked to break lines with his play.

Southgate's flying forwards

Gareth Southgate made two changes to his forward line and both of them paid off handsomely. Rashford and Phil Foden came into the team for their first starts of the World Cup and both were on the scoresheet. With fresh legs, they pressed high and attacked Wales until their defence gave way.

First of all it was Foden driving towards goal and drawing a foul in a dangerous area on the edge of the penalty box, with Rashford finding the top corner with the free-kick. Then Rashford’s pressing forced Ben Davies into an error for the second goal. It required Foden to continue his run at the far post and trust Kane to find him with a defence-splitting cross when others may have waited for a cut-back.

The Manchester City forward was rewarded for the run with a tap-in. Rashford tried to cut inside from the left in the first half without too much success, his big chance coming from a central area although one of his shots did leave Neco Williams with concussion. But in the second half a switch of flanks for the two flying forwards brought rewards straight after the interval.

Henderson's relish

Jordan Henderson of England applauds fans after his side's 3-0 victory in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between Wales and England at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on November 29, 2022 in Doha, Qatar - Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Jordan Henderson of England applauds fans after his side's 3-0 victory in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between Wales and England at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on November 29, 2022 in Doha, Qatar - Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Henderson was not in Southgate’s initial squad for the last international break before the World Cup, but all it took to be added to the squad was telling the England manager he had recovered from a hamstring injury. It was a clear sign that he was desperate to board the plane to Qatar and would do anything to prove his fitness. And how Southgate has needed him in the last two games.

Firstly he came on against USA when Tyler Adams, Yunus Musah and Weston McKennie threatened to seize control of the game. In his first start of the tournament, Henderson gave England leadership in central midfield. He was dishing out instructions for set-plays and telling his team-mates what was needed. As Wales frustrated England for 45 minutes, it was priceless to have his maturity on the pitch. He also kept the ball moving and looked to execute his cross to the back post, which made England look dangerous.

An injection of intensity

It was noticeable after the interval that England stepped up their intensity in terms of pressing and pushing forward. Perhaps it was Southgate giving them a pep talk in the dressing room. They were dominating the game but needed to be more direct towards goal, which came within minutes of the restart.

Having that big burst of energy was important, as Southgate wanted to give players a rest once a lead was established. Off came Kane and Declan Rice, which gave England the chance of getting minutes into the legs of Kalvin Phillips on his first appearance of the tournament.

Kyle Walker was also making his first appearance since groin surgery and an hour was a decent run to get him back in action. Kane says he has played with much worse than the knock he suffered in the first game against Iran but keeping him fresh for the knockout stage – which is when he started scoring at the Euros – could work for Southgate.