World Cup 2022: England beats Wales to advance in Qatar with USMNT

Al Rayyan, Qatar - Marcus Rashford scored a brace and Phil Foden the other as England trounced Wales 3-0 on Tuesday to secure first place in World Cup Group B and a last-16 berth along with the United States, who edged Iran 1-0 in the other game.

England's Marcus Rashford celebrates scoring their third goal against Wales with teammates at the 2022 World Cup.
England's Marcus Rashford celebrates scoring their third goal against Wales with teammates at the 2022 World Cup.  © REUTERS

Rashford curled home a free-kick in the 50th, won the ball two minutes later which led to Foden's goal, and then got the third himself again in the 68th in Al Rayyan.

Both players had been among four new England starters after their impressive opening 6-2 against Iran was followed by a meager 0-0 draw with the US.

"It's a great feeling," Rashford told the BBC. "Moments like this, this is what I play football for. I m happy we are going through to the next round of the tournament because I have massive ambitions for this team, and I think we can play even better than we did today."

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Euro 2020 runners-up England finished top of the group and now face Group A runners-up Senegal in the last 16 on Sunday.

The US will play Group A winners Netherlands on Saturday after leapfrogging Iran from Christian Pulisic's 38th minute winner in Doha.

Iran failed again in their sixth attempt to finally get out of the group stage, and winless Wales were bottom in only their second World Cup, 64 years after their 1958 debut.

There was plenty of emotion around both games given that England and Wales are two British teams and the US v. Iran game featured two bitter political foes, which did not seem to be a factor on the pitch.

"I talked with the Iran coach [Carlos Queiroz] and we said we would have a football spectacle and not a political spectacle," American coach Gregg Berhalter told ARD.

Marcus Rashford shines in England's victory over Wales

England's Marcus Rashford (l.) celebrates scoring their third goal with Jordan Henderson.
England's Marcus Rashford (l.) celebrates scoring their third goal with Jordan Henderson.  © REUTERS

In the British duel, Rashford and Foden had the biggest opportunities before the break and then put England on course shortly after the restart, which took place without substituted Wales star Gareth Bale.

Manchester United's Rashford superbly curled a free-kick into the top right corner in the 50th, and then won the ball deep in the Welsh half and fed captain Harry Kane, whose pass across the goalmouth was met by Manchester City's Foden at the far post for 2-0.

Wales, having lost the last six games against England since a 1984 win, tried to fight back as Dan James curled wide and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford needed to save a shot from Johnson that took a big deflection off Harry Maguire.

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But it was all over in the 68th when Rashford took up Kalvin Phillips' long ball, ran into the area, beat a defender, and netted through Ward's legs.

"We were a little bit disappointed after the USA result. Thought we could've played a lot better. and it was important to have a good performance the next game. We defended brilliantly in the first half and it was just about killing the game off early and taking the chances in the game," Rashford said.

Wales manager Robert Page said: "We’re disappointed to leave the tournament but, if we’re going to go out, that’s the way to go out. My message is don’t be disappointed. We’ve got to build for the future again now."

Cover photo: Collage: REUTERS

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