sport news ROB DRAPER'S TACTICAL BREAKDOWN: Jude Bellingham might be the BEST midfielder ... trends now
If a certain beer company with catchy advertising lines did World Cup knock-out games, they might look something like this.
England had the game won by 55 minutes, finishing Senegal off in a 16 minute spell either side of half time.
Not only that, all Gareth Southgate’s selections paid off and England are top scorers.
This is unchartered territory for England fans and media: we have literally nothing to grumble about. And, if it wasn’t for Kylian Mbappe, you might be tempted to say nothing to be worried about.
Sportsmail has analysed the tactics behind England's 3-0 win.
England cruised to a 3-0 victory over Senegal in the last-16 of the World Cup finals in Qatar
Was that a young Bryan Robson back in an England shirt? It certainly felt like it. Watching Jude Bellingham made you ask yourself: ‘What were you doing at 19?’
Even if he weren’t a world class footballer, you suspect he would be President of the Student Union or some high-flying trader in the City. It’s pretty rare to see a teenager leading a group of such experienced pros.
But Bellingham’s performance was just that. His run into space to release Jordan Henderson for the opening goal was superb. But his tour de force was the second goal on 45 minutes.
Senegal were in on the attack when Pathe Ciss mis-controlled on the edge of the area, which shouldn’t have been a great drama. But Bellingham – or was it Robson? – pounced, nicked the ball and strode away. The strength he showed to thrust Youssouf Sabaly aside was astonishing for a 19 year old.
On and on he ran, with Foden matching him stride for stride. He released the ball into space perfectly for Foden, on to Kane and 2-0.
However, it was much more than the goal interventions. He is the boss man in midfield, setting the tempo, showing for the ball, making runs in behind and leading the press. Best midfielder at the World Cup? He might in the top one.
Jude Bellingham put in an excellent display to mark him as a world class midfielder
What kind of doughnut drops the man who was the World Cup’s leading goal-scorer, prior to Kylian Mbappe’s brace just before this game? Southgate is that man.
But Marcus Rashford was slack in possession against Wales, despite his goals. Foden is anything but. Saka – though he had an early aberration – is also very tidy and just as fast.
Foden absolutely justified his retention: for the opening goal, it was his back heel which opened up Senegal and allowed Kane to play in Bellingham. And it was his run supplementing Bellingham provided the cross for Kane to make it 2-0, And there he was again in 55 minutes, pouncing on a loose ball to get ahead of Sabaly and then pass through Koulibaly’s legs to set up Saka for the third.
No easy finish either, that Saka goal, his third of the World Cup. Foden gives you speed and intricacy; Saka even more speed, directness and the ability to go past his man.
Both link play, Foden exceptionally. The pair of them look like England’s first choice wide players in a deep pool of talent.
Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka are also part of England's future stars to build a team around
This Harry Kane is significantly better than that Golden Boot winner of 2018. And yet he won’t get near to winning the Golden Boot here. Because Kane is a better all-round player than
