(Football news) The Three Lions opened their account in the 39th minute of the Round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup when Jude Bellingham set up Jordan Henderson for the opening goal after a slow start. Gareth Southgate’s team then went on to score another with Bellingham once again launching a counter-attack that was finished off by Harry Kane (45+3), who scored his first goal of the tournament. Bukayo Saka then scored the third in the 57th minute with a deft finish from Phil Foden’s low cross. The result meant that England have now scored 12 goals in four games, their joint-highest at a single major tournament (they also scored 12 in the 2018 World Cup).

With a three goal cushion, Southgate made a number of changes before the final whistle in order to keep his squad fresh for their blockbuster clash against France. If they do manage to overcome the World Champions, they will face one of Morocco/Spain/Portugal/Switzerland in the semi-finals on December 14th. Jordan Henderson at the age of 32 years and 170 days became England’s second oldest goalscorer after Tom Finney against USSR in 1958 (36y 64d). In team news, Southgate replaced Marcus Rashford with Bukayo Saka while Raheem Sterling was not available for selection due to family reasons. Senegal made one change as well, with Idrissa Gueye (suspended) being replaced by Krepin Diatta.

“The first 35 minutes were tough – they were compact and tough to get through, with really high energy. They got in a few times down the sides so it was one of those games where we knew we had to get the first goal. The goal was really well worked down the left-hand side with a few flicks. When H (Harry Kane) drops deep I know he can find anyone on the pitch so I timed my run right. When I get into those areas I’m always confident and the boys take up great positions.”

England midfielder Jude Bellingham

On Bellingham’s performance: “I think the biggest thing is the mentality. We’ve done a lot of work over the years with young players and young-player development and the thing that makes the difference is the mindset, the drive, the desire to learn and improve. He has all of that. I think with him, Phil [Foden], Bukayo [Saka] tonight, we felt it was the right moment for all of them and they all stepped up.

“Jude was with [Jordan] Henderson as well because those two really got us into the game. We were a bit stuck with the ball and our best moments were turning the ball over. I think Hendo’s influence is allowing Jude more freedom positionally and he’s responded to that remarkably well.”

On Kane’s goal: “You could see the lift that goal gave Harry Kane in the second half. There was a bit more space. I think we’d managed to move Senegal around so much – although we found it hard to progress – that they tired, and his link play started to come together again. I think for any striker when you haven’t scored it is there in the back of your mind and you get that lift of confidence when it comes.

“There’s no one I’d rather have bearing down on goal, and it was a really clinical finish. That will do him the world of good. The great thing for us is the goals have been spread. We’ve not been dependent upon him, and we’ve only had a few goals from set-plays, which in the past was a huge percentage of our goals. It’s great we’re showing another side to our attacking play.”

England manager Gareth Southgate

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