World Cup: England prepare to face Senegal on eve of last-16 tie
England face Senegal in a World Cup last 16 clash in Qatar. After finishing top of Group B to qualify for the knockout stages, England’s bid to win the World Cup starts to get serious with a place in the quarter-finals on the line. England had to endure penalties as they beat Colombia at this stage in Russia four years ago, and Gareth Southgate will be hoping there is less tension tonight against Senegal.
In what has been a wildly unpredictable World Cup so far, England’s path to the last 16 was rather more serene than some of the other tournament contenders. Despite the boos that followed the goalless draw with the USA, England thrashed both Iran and Wales and finished the group stage as the tournament’s top scorers. Marcus Rashford’s double against Wales had given Southgate a selection headache, but Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden were instead preferred with Raheem Sterling unavailable for selection and dealing with a family matter.
This is England’s first meeting with Senegal, who remain a threat despite the absence of injured star Sadio Mane. Senegal are the champions of Africa and reached the last 16 by defeating Ecuador in a crunch clash in Group A. Aliou Cisse’s side are experienced and know how to deliver on the big stage, while the Lions of Teranga will be motivated by the chance to become the first African team to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the second time.
Follow all the action from England vs Senegal with our live blog below:
England vs Senegal
Knockout football has arrived for England. They got through the last-16 during the last World Cup in Russia via a penalty shootout against Colombia.
Can they defeat Senegal tonight as well?
Southgate on Senegal
Gareth Southgate explained what he is expecting from tonight’s match versus Senegal saying: “They are very direct, they have pace, they are athletic and are well organised. They are African champions and have champions’ mentality.
“We have to play our way. We have to play to our strengths. We have shown what we are about in this tournament and we will continue that tonight.”
England vs Senegal
How will England fare tonight? Can they defeat Senegal, avoid penalties and set up a clash with France in the last eight?
(PA)
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Senegal must be prepared for ‘completely different’ World Cup knockout stages, says boss Aliou Cisse
The Africa Cup of Nations champions – without injured star forward Sadio Mane – needed to win to make it through from Group A, while a draw would have been good enough for Ecuador.
After seeing Watford forward Ismaila Sarr put Senegal in front from a penalty at the end of the first half, Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo pulled the South Americans level.
The Africa Cup of Nations champions secured the runners-up spot in Group A.
Raheem Sterling misses England World Cup match with Senegal with ‘family matter’
The return of Saka in place of three-goal leading scorer Rashford was the only change Gareth Southgate made for the tie at Al Bayt Stadium.
Saka, who netted a brace in England’s opening 6-2 win over Iran, was rested for the final Group B game against Wales, where Rashford also scored twice in a 3-0 victory.
But England boss Southgate opted to recall the Arsenal man for the first knockout stage, with Phil Foden and Jordan Henderson retaining their places in the side.
Sterling will take no part in the match, however.
The Chelsea winger was expected to be among England’s substitutes but he will be absent as he deals with a family issue
England vs Senegal
Senegal have reached the knockout stage of the World Cup for the second time, previously doing so in their first appearance in 2002 (quarter-final).
Courtesy of beating Qatar and Ecuador in the group stages, Senegal have won consecutive World Cup matches for the first time.
Will they make it three from three?
England ‘mentally and physically’ prepared for penalties, Gareth Southgate insists
The national team’s penalty problems down the years are well documented, with all three World Cup shoot-outs ending in defeat before a success at the expense of Colombia in Russia four years ago.
England followed that by winning bronze on spot-kicks at the Nations League finals against Switzerland in 2019, only for penalties to prove their undoing in last year’s European Championship final.
England have had penalty problems in World Cups before
John Stones speaking to ITV
England defender John Stones’ pre-match thoughts: “We’ve seen how important everyone has been coming off the bench or starting.
“We’ve got great attackers so whoever starts, hopefully they can bring that to the game.
“The counter attack is a challenge from Senegal. They are a very organised and athletic team, from what we have seen. We’ve got to be disciplined for the 90 or 120 minutes, whatever it may be and keep the ball high up the pitch.”
England vs Senegal
African nations have lost eight of their nine World Cup knockout round games against European sides, with the exception being Senegal’s 2-1 win over Sweden in the round of 16 in 2002.
However, in all competitions, England have never lost against an African side in their history with 14 wins and six draws.
Pre-match thoughts of Gareth Southgate
England boss Gareth Southgate spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live in the build-up to today’s match saying: “We are two tournaments on from when we played Colombia at this stage in Moscow. I think our level of experience is better, our level of ambition is different.
“When we qualified from our group stage in Russia, we were probably celebrating quite a bit. This time was a great evening for our fans and we enjoyed the win, but we were already thinking of the next game.
“We know the focus has to be on this one game, nothing else.
“We are aiming to win the game and avoid extra time and penalties, but if we need to go 120 minutes or beyond that we have to be ready for that mentally and physically and I believe we are.”
