Marcus Rashford scored a brace as England comfortably saw off Wales 3-0 on Tuesday night to set up a World Cup round of 16 tie against Senegal.After a lacklustre first 45, the Manchester United winger smashed a free-kick past Leicester’s Danny Ward to open the scoring after 50 minutes, before Phil Foden tapped in Harry Kane’s cross at the far post just a minute later.A rejuvenated Rashford made it 3-0 with 68 minutes on the clock after some suspect goalkeeping from Ward, to ensure thatÂEngland would top the group and set up a tie with the African Cup of Nations holders on Sunday, while Rob Page’s side finished bottom.Gareth Southgate made four changes from the side that drew against the USA, as Kyle Walker, Jordan Henderson, Foden and Rashford came in for Kieran Trippier, Mason Mount, Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling.Kane kept his place in attack despite worries about the ankle knock he picked up in the 6-2 win over Iran, while James Maddison recovered from injury to feature on the bench.Meanwhile, Rob Page opted for a more attacking Welsh lineup, as only victory by a four-goal margin would be enough to send them through.Danny Ward came in for the suspended Wayne Hennessey in goal, while Joe Allen and Daniel James also started in place of Conor Roberts and Harry Wilson, as Page switched to a four-at-the-back formation.After a spell of possession, England carved out their first real opportunity with just under 10 minutes on the clock, as Kane slipped in Rashford, but the Manchester United man was slow to take his shot and Ward comfortably denied him.The 25-year-old looked to attempt to amend that miss in spectacular fashion when a deflected cross found him at the back post, but his overhead kick was well wide.While the Three Lions did put together a few nice passages of play towards the end of the first half, it was another disappointing display from Southgate’s men in Qatar, which did little to satiate frustrated fans on social media.Wales’ first shot in anger came just moments before the half-time whistle, as Joe Allen was found on the edge of the area, but his shot was never likely to trouble Jordan Pickford.Half time: Wales 0-0 England Southgate clearly gave his players the hairdryer treatment at half-time as England came out flying with two goals in the first 10 minutes of the second 45.Rashford and Foden swapped wings to great effect, as the latter went on a mazy run before being brought to a halt by Joe Rodon just outside the area, before the former stepped up to rocket a free-kick past the wrong-footed Ward.
Fans had barely stopped celebrating the first when the Manchester City wonderkid made it two, as Kane picked up the ball in a dangerous area after Rashford had robbed Ben Davies, as his cross found Foden unmarked at the back post, where he was left with a simple tap-in for his third goal in a Three Lions shirt.
The brakes were off after that, with England flying forward at will, and Rashford would grab his third goal of the tournament as he raced onto substitute Kalvin Phillips’ long ball before cutting inside and firing through the legs of Ward.
More chances would follow, as the Wales shot-stopper denied Rashford and Jude Bellingham as England threatened to run riot, but it would finish 3-0 to continue an unbeaten start for the Three Lions, and finish off a World Cup to forget for Wales.
Full Time: Wales 0-3 England