The gulf in class was clear to see as the Teranga Lions dearly missed the experience and quality of injured star man Sadio Mane as well as midfielders Idrissa Gueye and Cheikhou Kouyate who were absent through suspension and injury respectively.
England continued their dominance over African teams with a commanding 3-0 win against Senegal in Sunday’s round of 16 clash in Qatar.
Goals from Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and Jordan Henderson, denied Senegal the chance of a second quarter-final appearance at the World Cup.
Henderson’s goal against Senegal means he is England’s second-oldest ever World Cup scorer, after Tom Finney against USSR in 1958 (36 years and 64 days).
For Kane, he has now scored 11 goals at major tournaments for England (7 World Cup, 4 Euros), overtaking @GaryLineker (10) as the Three Lions’ all-time top scorer in such competitions.
After a difficult start to the game, England broke the deadlock in the 38th minute as Henderson swept home a low cross from Jude Bellingham.
In the third minute of added time in the first half, Kane made it 2-0 after receiving a pass from Phil Foden before firing past Edourd Mendy.
In the 57th minute Saka added the third goal following a delightful cross from Foden which he slotted past Mendy.
The Three Lions will now face reigning champions France in the quarter-finals billed for Saturday, 10 December.
