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'The speed of England’s counter-attack will frighten France'

England's Bukayo Saka celebrates with Harry Kane and Phil Foden after scoring his side's third goal during the World Cup round of 16 match against Senegal in Qatar. Dated: Dec 4, 2022 - Manu Fernandez/AP
England's Bukayo Saka celebrates with Harry Kane and Phil Foden after scoring his side's third goal during the World Cup round of 16 match against Senegal in Qatar. Dated: Dec 4, 2022 - Manu Fernandez/AP

England won 3-0 against Senegal in an electrifying World Cup knockout match on Sunday evening.

The Three Lions appeared aimless for the first 35 minutes, but went on to execute a strategic - and successful - counterattack that led to the game’s first goal from Jordan Henderson, followed by two more from Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka.

Telegraph readers were impressed by England’s performance once they settled into the game and praised Gareth Southgate’s tactics.

However, some argued that England could have pressed forward more, and expressed doubts whether Southgate’s side will be able to contain holders France in the quarter-final showdown on Saturday.

In praise of England: ‘Kane’s involvement in goals has been as significant as the teammates who delivered the strike’

@Charlie Bricker:

"Far too much is made by pundits of Kane's lack of goals in the first three games, but Kane has delivered critical, and in some cases highly sophisticated passes, in at least four of the goals England has scored. In most cases, Kane's involvement in England goals thus far has been as significant as the teammates who delivered the strike."

@Stephen Butler:

"The reason we looked pedestrian at the start was that we conceded the centre circle. Rice was on guard to stop attackers, but he was outnumbered. Simply put, we were not worried about the Senegal midfield breaking our lines.

"England played with a single pivot (Rice) in a holding role in midfield on purpose. The plan was for Henderson and Bellingham to break the Senegal midfield line and get between their centre backs and full backs. For the first half an hour, Rice was alone in the centre circle, meaning that Maguire and Stones had no easy out ball.

"Eventually, the break came and Bellingham raced through the inside left position and squared to Henderson, breaking from the other channel. A brilliant training ground goal, expertly executed. It worked, knowing that Senegal would not track the runners.

"Well played Southgate and the coaches. It is well worth watching again to see how we created the space. Absolutely brilliant goal."

@Nikki Hayes:

"Foden, Bellingham and Saka - such brilliant young players, clearly the future of the England team. It was great to see Kane getting a step closer to being England's best ever goalscorer - I know some criticise him, but he is reliable and a great captain for the team. We need an older, steady player at the helm who can motivate the rest.

"I’m really looking forward to the French game at the weekend - if we play like we did today, then it's all up for grabs."

@John Flexman:

"England is now starting to look impressive. Another nervy start, and for 30 mins it was looking like a game that had extra time and penalties as an end state. However, Southgate's decision to focus on Foden, Kane and Saka was important and he rightly left Rashford out. Bellingham and Rice were key players yet again.

"It is a shame we don’t have more pace at the back as France will be a different level of test, but keeping a clean sheet was important."

Gareth Southgate: ‘He plays tournament football’

@Guy Thomas:

"Southgate is now in a similar position to van Gaal before the match against the USA. If he had lost that match, van Gaal would have been destroyed by the Dutch media. If Southgate gets it wrong against France, the British media will turn and point out that he hasn't managed to beat any really decent teams.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Southgate reverts to a 1-5-2-2-1 formation, as he did in the Euros. He knows Maguire can't be exposed, so he needs extra protection at the back. I would like us to go toe-to-toe, but that won't happen."

@Mark Allen:

"Whatever anyone says about Southgate, his knockout record is better than anyone’s, and he has brought pride to wearing the shirt.

"We must not forget quickly the lost years of McClaren, Eriksson, Capello. Let's not get ahead of ourselves. We're doing well and we want more, naturally. But let's not go backwards in demanding to go forwards."

@Russell Hawkins:

"I'm pleased for Gareth Southgate. He gets a ridiculous amount of stick from people who have only been watching England for five minutes. His record compared to managers going back to Alf Ramsey is top-notch.

"I don't know if we'll beat France, but at least we are not an embarrassment on the international stage any more."

@Nicholas mills:

"Southgate gets a bit of stick, but it appears he plays tournament football. Why win games and give away your secrets?

"The speed of the counter in today's game was really impressive, and will actually frighten France."

@Richard Garrett:

"Southgate's biggest positive is that he gets his England team playing with reduced fear and tension. They're more relaxed and, as a result, they play much better than many previous talented England teams who were semi-frozen with tension.

"Whether we beat France is another thing - they’re the favourites for good reason. They have exceptional talent and good tournament history. But, we have a chance.

"Our attack and midfield are functioning well and Foden is skilful and aware. I just hope our defence somehow manages to cope.

"Good luck lads. Thanks for some great memories so far."

Next, France: ‘When England attacks at pace they are a threat to anyone’

@Roger Gant:

"England were way below the level we saw from France. We started with Southgate's trademark passing side to side at the back, then moved to passing from the opposition half back into our own half, before Bellingham and Foden laid on the Henderson goal.

"How much would we have done by playing more attacking football with a centre forward? I'm not pointing any fingers at Kane, because he was obviously told to play deep. If we play anything like this against France, we'll get crushed, not least of all because we'll end up on the back foot, trying to soak up wave after wave of French attacking football.

"We are still a team that plays not to lose, rather than playing to win and Southgate's ‘masterclass’ won't hack it."

@Nicholas Mills:

"For the first 30 mins, England didn't look that great. But these are clearly intelligent players, and they settled into the game, and then did some brilliant counter attacking football to go 2-0. That in itself would have damaged the confidence of Senegal.

"We may live off scraps against France, so it was nice to see such clinical goal scoring."

@Duncan Macdonald:

"When England attacks at pace, they are a threat to anyone. When they revert to constant back passing and side to side passing they look very ordinary indeed. France are going to score, so they need to outscore them rather than play defensively. Will Southgate finally let them off the leash?"

@Steven Jones:

"A decent win, but France do worry me. The opportunities Senegal missed I can see France putting away. That said, I think it will be a belter next Saturday and predict a high scoring England win, maybe in extra time."


What did you make of England's thumping win over Senegal? Join the conversation in the comments section below