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World Cup 2022 news LIVE: England vs Senegal reaction as Raheem Sterling leaves camp to return to UK

Jack Rathborn and Karl Matchett
·33-min read

England swept Senegal aside in the Qatar World Cup last 16 to set up a quarter-final against France next Saturday.

Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane and Bukayo Sakascored the goals for the Three Lions, but now Kylian Mbappe and Les Bleus, the current champions, pose an entirely different challenge to Gareth Southgate’s men. Mbappe hit a double, while Olivier Giroud surpassed Thierry Henry as France’s all-time top scorer in the 3-1 victory over Poland.

It was not all good news for England though, as Raheem Sterling opted to head home for a family matter, leaving his future involvement in Qatar in doubt.

Follow all the reaction from England vs Senegal and build-up :

World Cup news

World Cup 2022: Japan 1-1 Croatia (Croatia win 3-1 on penalties)

17:59 , Kieran Jackson

Croatia goalkeeper Dominic Kivakovic saved penalties from Takumi Minamino, Kaoru Mitoma and Maya Yoshida before Mario Pasalic netted the winning spot-kick in their 3-1 shootout win over Japan on Monday to reach the World Cup quarter-finals.

With the scores deadlocked at 1-1 after an absorbing 90 minutes, Japan’s Kaoru Mitoma went closest in the scrappy half-hour of extra time, forcing Kivakovic to parry away his powerful drive.

Daichi Kamada had shot off target after a flowing Japan counter-attack minutes before Daizen Maeda deservedly put them ahead in the 43rd minute, firing home from close range after Ritsu Doan delivered an in-swinging cross into the penalty area.

Croatia forward Ivan Perisic, who was denied by Japan goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda in the opening minutes, pulled them level 10 minutes into the second half after meeting Dejan Lovren’s cross with a powerful header. Croatia will face either Brazil or South Korea in the quarter-finals.

Follow reaction in our live blog below

Japan vs Croatia LIVE: World Cup 2022 latest updates

World Cup 2022: England have nothing to fear against France in quarter-finals, Bukayo Saka claims

17:45 , Kieran Jackson

Bukayo Saka believes England have nothing to fear as they prepare to take on reigning champions France in the World Cup 2022 quarter-finals. England booked their place in the last eight with a comfortable 3-0 win over Senegal on Sunday but the task ahead is a daunting one.

But Saka, who scored England’s third against Senegal, said at a press conference: “If you look at our first four games, we had three clean sheets. That shows how solid we are at the back and we have scored the most goals as well.

“I feel we have just got to prepare the best gameplan and go there with confidence. We are playing really good right now. There is no doubt about the quality we have in our team. We are blessed with an amazing front line. There is so much quality attacking players.

“When you are selected, it shows how much confidence the boss has in you so that gives you that extra confidence to go out and shine. Last night we were able to do that.”

Saka was one of the players to miss from the spot when England were defeated on penalties by Italy in the Euro 2020 final.

England have nothing to fear against France in quarter-finals, Bukayo Saka claims

World Cup 2022: Gary Neville relishing England vs France ‘blockbuster’ at World Cup

16:30 , Kieran Jackson

Former England defender Gary Neville is relishing a “blockbuster” World Cup quarter-final clash with France after Gareth Southgate’s side easily overcame Senegal in Al Khor.

Goals late in the first half from Jordan Henderson and Harry Kane had England cruising through to the last eight before a second-half effort from Bukayo Saka wrapped up a 3-0 win.

The reward is a return to Al Khor for a crunch clash against France next Saturday as last year’s European Championship runners-up take on the World Cup holders.

Neville, working as a pundit for ITV, said: “Credit to Gareth Southgate - he’s making qualifying for the latter stages of tournaments look really easy. These lads have not put a foot wrong really for three or four years now, on and off the pitch.

“They got a rough ride on the way into this tournament, the manager and the players, but they’re delivering again, and what a blockbuster of a game it is on Saturday against France - amazing for those lads, because they deserve this type of game on this stage.”

Gary Neville relishing England vs France ‘blockbuster’ at World Cup

FOLLOW LIVE: Japan vs Croatia

16:07 , Kieran Jackson

Japan face Croatia in the Qatar World Cup last 16 after their breathtaking victory over Spain in the Group E finale last week.

Luka Modric and Croatia held off Belgium to ease through Group F behind Morocco and will hope to continue what they hope will be a journey back to the World Cup final after defeat to France four years ago. It is likely to be Modric’s final World Cup as Zlatko Dalić looks to find the balance between generations.

The winner of this tie will face either Brazil or South Korea in the quarter-finals. The second-half is just underway...

Japan vs Croatia LIVE: World Cup 2022 latest updates

World Cup 2022: Why England’s wide men hold the key to beating France after Senegal masterclass

15:59 , Kieran Jackson

By Ben Burrows at the Al Bayt Stadium

A willing tool of the Fifa machine in recent years, it is tempting to write off many of the things Arsene Wenger now says. Fresh from suggesting that the teams who made political statements at this World Cup were cosmically punished by exiting it, that temptation only grew. But his eye for the game itself, the one that so expertly guided Arsenal for so many years, remains as shrewd as it ever was.

“I personally think the team with the best wide players will win this tournament,” he had said at a Fifa technical briefing earlier on Sunday. A matter of hours later, England used their world-class width to devastating effect to down Senegal and book their place in the quarter-finals.

It was the third goal of the three here that illustrated it best, Phil Foden finding Bukayo Saka to score, from one wide man to the other, the Arsenal star lifting into the middle of the goal to seal a win that was forged on the fringes.

There is reason to Wenger’s thinking. More than half of all the entries into the final third at this tournament have come down either flank. Goals from open-play crosses are up and up by a large percentage from four years ago. With teams choosing to brace and bolster their middle, take-ons are down a third since Russia too, opponents instead opting to build up and attack from out wide. There is only one way to beat them, as they say, and it is around the back here in Qatar.

Gareth Southgate has been taking note too, his biggest problem at this tournament so far also one of his best as he juggles his embarrassment of riches on the wings.

Why England’s wide men hold the key to beating France after Senegal masterclass

World Cup 2022: France star Kylian Mbappe breaks his silence to discuss Golden Boot chances

15:45 , Kieran Jackson

Kylian Mbappe shot to the top of the Golden Boot rankings with a brace against Poland, taking his tally to five at the World Cup.

He did not speak to media after the game though, ensuring France will pick up a fine from Fifa as a result - though he revealed he’ll pay that himself as he was just trying to focus on his football and success for the national team.

Winning the top scorer award is merely a route to his ultimate objective, he says - and next England have to find a way to stop him achieving both.

France star Kylian Mbappe breaks his silence to discuss Golden Boot chances

World Cup 2022: England relishing challenge of ‘very best’ France, Gareth Southgate insists

15:17 , Kieran Jackson

Gareth Southgate is looking forward to England’s test against the “very best” after beating Senegal to set up a mouth-watering World Cup quarter-final against reigning champions France.

The European Championship runners-up overcame heightened expectations and a nervy start in Al Khor to triumph with ease against the Africa Cup of Nations winners on Sunday evening.

“It’s the biggest test that we can face,” England boss Southgate said. “They’re world champions, incredible depth of talent, outstanding individual players, very difficult to play against and to score goals against.

“It’s a fantastic challenge, brilliant game for us to prepare for.The two quarter-finals that are already in place are fantastic, historic football rivalries and great games from the past.

“A brilliant game for us to be involved with and test ourselves against the very best.”

Southgate went on to discuss Mbappe, France’s other attackers and Raheem Sterling, too.

England relishing challenge of ‘very best’ France, Gareth Southgate insists

FOLLOW LIVE: Japan vs Croatia

14:58 , Kieran Jackson

Japan face Croatia in the Qatar World Cup last 16 after their breathtaking victory over Spain in the Group E finale last week.

Luka Modric and Croatia held off Belgium to ease through Group F behind Morocco and will hope to continue what they hope will be a journey back to the World Cup final after defeat to France four years ago. It is likely to be Modric’s final World Cup as Zlatko Dalić looks to find the balance between generations.

The winner of this tie will face either Brazil or South Korea in the quarter-finals. Kick-off is in two minutes’ time at 3pm (GMT).

Japan vs Croatia LIVE: World Cup 2022 latest updates

World Cup 2022: England’s route to the final

14:37 , Kieran Jackson

Gareth Southgate’s England squad will be hoping to make it back-to-back finals in major international competitions - and this time go one step better and lift the trophy.

Four years ago the Three Lions reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup as the upturn in international fortunes began under Southgate, before they went the distance to the final at Euro 2020. Now in Qatar the objective will remain the same, to end the long wait since 1966 for success on the biggest stage.

France are next in the last eight; here’s the route to glory for Southgate and the Three Lions.

Who do England play next after beating Senegal?

World Cup 2022: Kylian Mbappe will break all records and he’s doing it the old-fashioned way

14:20 , Kieran Jackson

By Richard Jolly in Qatar

The temptation is to advise Olivier Giroud to enjoy his record. The killjoys and the realists alike could argue he is unlikely to have it for long. Even as he overhauled Thierry Henry to become the most prolific man in the history of the French national team, a threat to his status is accelerating towards him at devastating speed.

The score stands at Giroud 52, Kylian Mbappe 33. The gap could close rapidly. Mbappe does everything quickly and he has chased down more garlanded figures than Giroud. His first goal against Poland took him level with Cristiano Ronaldo on eight in World Cups, his second alongside Lionel Messi on nine. Each is almost certainly in his last World Cup. Mbappe could have three more.

He has emerged as the likely challenger to Miroslav Klose, the 16-goal leading marksman in the competition’s history. Yet Mbappe does not just play the numbers game; not when his defining quality is the pace that makes him viscerally exciting to watch. He is like Henry in overdrive, and not merely because of a fondness for the inside-left channel and a capacity to curl shots into the far corner.

Kylian Mbappe will break all records and he’s doing it the old-fashioned way

World Cup 2022: Harry Kane under no illusions of challenge England face against France

13:59 , Kieran Jackson

Captain Harry Kane is expecting a “really tough evening” when England play France in the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

Goals from Kane, Jordan Henderson and Bukayo Saka sealed an all-too-comfortable win over Senegal at Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday night.

Next up is the quarter-finals and a meeting with the defending champions.

After cruising through the last-16, Kane is under no illusions as to the challenge his side will face on Saturday.

“It was a solid performance, we took our chances,” he said of the 3-0 win. “France are a great team, they’re reigning world champions. It’s going to be really tough evening.”

Harry Kane under no illusions of challenge England face against France

World Cup 2022: The future is now - Jude Bellingham is making the World Cup look easy

13:39 , Kieran Jackson

By Mark Critchley in Doha

There was a moment during the build-up to England’s second goal that you stopped and realised a 19-year-old from Stourbridge was already becoming one of the most feared midfielders in world football. Jude Bellingham had already beaten Pathé Ciss to a bouncing ball on the edge of his own box, turning a 50-50 challenge into a landslide victory, winning the ball with a downward header that cared not for the boot that might meet it. There was then the way he shrugged off Youssouf Sabaly, who engaged but then suddenly recoiled as if he had suffered a mild electric shock.

The moment in question, though, the moment that truly illustrated Bellingham’s command of this contest as the first half drew to a close, came immediately after that, when both Nampalys Mendy and Abdou Diallo were sucked into his orbit. Two-thirds of Senegal’s defence turned to face the brute force heading their way, paying no heed to either Phil Foden or Harry Kane’s runs in behind. Bellingham demanded their attention and by grabbing it, he as good as put England two up.

By that point, he had already set up the first. That was not all Bellingham like the second – there was Foden’s flicked backheel by the far touchline, then Kane’s threaded pass through the lines – but the intelligence of Bellingham’s movement and the authority of run into the inside-left channel was what really put Senegal’s defence on the back foot. A nonchalant square pass for Jordan Henderson appeared far simpler to play than it actually was, but that should be no surprise: in almost every game, Bellingham is making playing at your first World Cup look easy.

By that point, he had already set up the first. That was not all Bellingham like the second – there was Foden’s flicked backheel by the far touchline, then Kane’s threaded pass through the lines – but the intelligence of Bellingham’s movement and the authority of run into the inside-left channel was what really put Senegal’s defence on the back foot. A nonchalant square pass for Jordan Henderson appeared far simpler to play than it actually was, but that should be no surprise: in almost every game, Bellingham is making playing at your first World Cup look easy.

The future is now: Jude Bellingham is making the World Cup look easy

Kylian Mbappe will break all records – will he break England?

13:23 , Alex Pattle

“The temptation is to advise Olivier Giroud to enjoy his record. The killjoys and the realists alike could argue he is unlikely to have it for long. Even as he overhauled Thierry Henry to become the most prolific man in the history of the French national team, a threat to his status is accelerating towards him at devastating speed.

“The score stands at Giroud 52, Kylian Mbappe 33. The gap could close rapidly. Mbappe does everything quickly and he has chased down more garlanded figures than Giroud. His first goal against Poland took him level with Cristiano Ronaldo on eight in World Cups, his second alongside Lionel Messi on nine. Each is almost certainly in his last World Cup. Mbappe could have three more.

“He has emerged as the likely challenger to Miroslav Klose, the 16-goal leading marksman in the competition’s history. Yet Mbappe does not just play the numbers game; not when his defining quality is the pace that makes him viscerally exciting to watch.”

Here’s Richard Jolly on the task England face in dealing with Mbappe:

Kylian Mbappe will break all records and he’s doing it the old-fashioned way

Jude Bellingham surprising even Gareth Southgate with World Cup heroics

12:55 , Karl Matchett

Gareth Southgate already knew Jude Bellingham was something special but even he has been surprised at how the 19-year-old has taken the World Cup by the scruff of the neck.

After his goalscoring World Cup debut against Iran two weeks ago, Bellingham drove England into the quarter-finals with a commanding display in Sunday’s 3-0 win over Senegal.

He set up the opener for fellow midfielder Jordan Henderson and then produced an electrifying run from deep inside his own half to launch the attack that led to Harry Kane making it 2-0 moments before the interval.

His assist for Henderson made him the first teenager to assist for a World Cup knockout-round goal since 1966 when records began to be kept.

“I don’t think we could have predicted how quickly Bellingham could mature. In the last five months that has gone to another level,” Southgate said after the game. Plenty of the Dortmund star’s teammates also had lots to say about his performances:

Jude Bellingham surprising even Gareth Southgate with World Cup heroics

Which teams are still in World Cup 2022 and who has been eliminated?

12:40 , Karl Matchett

The 2022 World Cup is in full swing as 32 nations began on 20 November aiming to lift the Jules Rimet trophy in Doha on 18 December.

Despite the many off-field issues around the tournament in Qatar, the group stage has thrown up plenty of thrills and spills, with Argentina losing to Saudi Arabia going down as one of the greatest shocks of any World Cup in history.

Japan also stunned Germany, while Spain and England racked up goals in statement opening wins.

The top two teams from each group go through to the round of 16, with group winners taking on the runners-up from a different group, while the third- and fourth-placed nations in each group are eliminated from the competition.

Here are the teams who qualified for the last 16 and beyond:

What teams are still in the World Cup and who has been eliminated?

World Cup latest news: Neymar set for Brazil return, England and France advance

12:25 , Karl Matchett

Key talking points from Sunday’s round of 16 matches and those coming up today:

Neymar is hoping for a return to fitness and the Brazil line-up as they face Croatia

Manager Tite has hit out against “evil lies” suggesting Gabriel Jesus was injured before playing in the last game

Japan are calling upon their “Samurai spirit” to try and beat Croatia

And a complete roundup of England’s win over Senegal.

World Cup latest news: Neymar set for Brazil return, England and France advance

England World Cup success could be ‘key factor’ in Christmas coronavirus rates, scientist says

12:10 , Karl Matchett

Just when you thought it was safe to go out and enjoy yourself again...

The level of success enjoyed by England men’s football team in the World Cup could be a “key factor” in determining rates of coronavirus over the Christmas period, an epidemiologist has suggested.

Gareth Southgate’s team is set to take on France in the competition’s quarter finals, after a comfortable 3-0 victory over Senegal on Sunday night.

Scientists have suggested that the longer England remain in the competition in Qatar, the more Covid-19 could potentially spread – as people pack into pubs and each other’s homes to watch each match.

This effect was evidenced – prior to the game-changing arrival of vaccines – during the Euro 2020 competition, which the government’s study into Covid rates at mass events found had generated “a significant risk to public health”.

Of the 49 days’ worth of music, sport and entertainment events monitored as part of the study, 85 per cent of all infections discovered were linked to the eight matches played at Wembley, totalling more than 6,300 new infections – most originating from the final and semi-final.

England World Cup success could drive Covid rates, scientist says

UAE leader visits Qatar after years-long boycott

11:55 , Karl Matchett

The leader of the United Arab Emirates made a surprise visit on Monday to Qatar as it is hosting the World Cup — his first since leading a yearslong four-nation boycott of Doha over a political dispute that poisoned regional relations.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who also serves as the ruler of Abu Dhabi, made the trip at the invitation of Qatar's ruling emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the state-run WAM news agency reported.

"The visit builds on the existing brotherly relations between the two nations and their people," WAM said in its brief report.

Sheikh Mohammed was widely viewed by analysts as one of the main architects of the boycott of Qatar by Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates that began in 2017.

At the height of the Qatar crisis, newspaper columns even suggested digging a trench along the 87-kilometer (54-mile) border and filling it with nuclear waste. While rhetorical bluster, it showed how deeply the anger ran in the region amid the dispute — which Kuwait's then-ruler suggested nearly sparked a war.

Its root came from Qatar's stance in supporting the Islamists who rose to power in Egypt and elsewhere following the 2011 Arab Spring. While Qatar viewed their arrival as a sea change in the gerontocracies gripping the Mideast, other Gulf Arab nations saw the protests as a threat to their autocratic and hereditary rule.

During the 2011 protests, Saudi Arabia and the UAE sent troops to help a violent crackdown on demonstrations in Bahrain.

The boycott, which saw the four nations shut off air and sea routes to Qatar, only ended in January 2021 just ahead of President Joe Biden taking office in the United States. The boycott began immediately after a visit to the region by then-President Donald Trump early in his presidency.

The opening ceremony of the World Cup, which coincided with Qatar facing Ecuador in the tournament's first match, saw Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi attend. Also on the dais with leaders was Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who provided a vital lifeline to Qatar during the crisis.

Dubai's ruler also attended along with his son while Sheikh Mohammed did not attend. However, he called Sheikh Tamim the following day and "congratulated" Qatar on hosting the World Cup — something that would have been unthinkable at the height of the diplomatic crisis.

AP

How to watch Japan vs Croatia online and on TV today

11:40 , Karl Matchett

Nearly time to turn our attentions to Monday’s round of 16 games, with Brazil in action later against South Korea.

First though, Japan will look to continue their sensational run at the World Cup when they face Croatia in the last 16.

Japan beat both Germany and Spain to finish Group E as shock winners, despite losing their second match of the tournament to Costa Rica.

Croatia, finalists four years ago, continued their strong record at major tournaments by beating Belgium to second place in Group F.

Here’s everything you need to know:

How to watch Japan vs Croatia online and on TV

Confident England can ‘take on anyone’ at World Cup, Jude Bellingham insists

11:25 , Karl Matchett

Jude Bellingham insists England’s young stars are ready to test themselves against the very best after they set up a tantalising World Cup quarter-final against holders France.

The Borussia Dortmund midfielder was a shining light in an England performance bursting with confidence as they saw off Senegal 3-0 in the last 16 at Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday night.

Bellingham laid on the opening goal for Jordan Henderson before leading the break which saw Harry Kane double England’s lead on the stroke of half-time.

France star Kylian Mbappe moved on to five goals in Qatar following a brace in Les Bleus’ 3-1 win over Poland earlier in the day.

But Bellingham is keen to pit himself against a team full of players who have won the game’s biggest prizes.

“I think we’re getting to that point now, confidence-wise, we think that we can try and take on anyone,” the 19-year-old replied when asked if England were becoming world beaters.

“That’s important when we’re playing because we play with a fearlessness especially as young boys, we don’t really care about who we’re playing against.”

More from the midfielder here:

Confident England can ‘take on anyone’ at World Cup, Jude Bellingham insists

France star Kylian Mbappe breaks his silence to discuss Golden Boot chances

11:10 , Karl Matchett

Kylian Mbappe shot to the top of the Golden Boot rankings with a brace against Poland, taking his tally to five at the World Cup.

He did not speak to media after the game though, ensuring France will pick up a fine from Fifa as a result - though he revealed he’ll pay that himself as he was just trying to focus on his football and success for the national team.

Winning the top scorer award is merely a route to his ultimate objective, he says - and next England have to find a way to stop him achieving both.

France star Kylian Mbappe breaks his silence to discuss Golden Boot chances

England relishing challenge of ‘very best’ France, Gareth Southgate insists

10:55 , Karl Matchett

Gareth Southgate is looking forward to England’s test against the “very best” after beating Senegal to set up a mouth-watering World Cup quarter-final against reigning champions France.

The European Championship runners-up overcame heightened expectations and a nervy start in Al Khor to triumph with ease against the Africa Cup of Nations winners on Sunday evening.

“It’s the biggest test that we can face,” England boss Southgate said. “They’re world champions, incredible depth of talent, outstanding individual players, very difficult to play against and to score goals against.

“It’s a fantastic challenge, brilliant game for us to prepare for.The two quarter-finals that are already in place are fantastic, historic football rivalries and great games from the past.

“A brilliant game for us to be involved with and test ourselves against the very best.”

Southgate went on to discuss Mbappe, France’s other attackers and Raheem Sterling, too.

England relishing challenge of ‘very best’ France, Gareth Southgate insists

Harry Kane praises England’s ‘great maturity’ after progressing past Senegal

10:40 , Karl Matchett

Harry Kane hailed the mentality of England after they swept aside Senegal with a 3-0 win in their World Cup last-16 clash.

Kane became England’s highest ever scorer at major tournaments after Jordan Henderson opened the scoring, with Bukayo Saka superbly wrapping up a comfortable victory in Sunday’s contest at Al Bayt Stadium.

The reward is a crunch quarter-final clash against holders France next Saturday.

Southgate’s side will need to take their performance up a level given some of the problems Africa Cup of Nations winners Senegal were able to cause in a first half that ended with a quickfire England double.

“It was really tough, knockout games are never easy,” he said afterwards. “I think we’ve showed great maturity through the tournament, and 3-0 against a really good side, credit to the boys, the mentality was top from the beginning and we took our chances when they came.”

More from the skipper here:

Harry Kane praises England’s ‘great maturity’ after progressing past Senegal

Gary Neville relishing England vs France ‘blockbuster’ at World Cup

10:25 , Karl Matchett

Former England defender Gary Neville is relishing a “blockbuster” World Cup quarter-final clash with France after Gareth Southgate’s side easily overcame Senegal in Al Khor.

Goals late in the first half from Jordan Henderson and Harry Kane had England cruising through to the last eight before a second-half effort from Bukayo Saka wrapped up a 3-0 win.

The reward is a return to Al Khor for a crunch clash against France next Saturday as last year’s European Championship runners-up take on the World Cup holders.

Neville, working as a pundit for ITV, said: “Credit to Gareth Southgate - he’s making qualifying for the latter stages of tournaments look really easy. These lads have not put a foot wrong really for three or four years now, on and off the pitch.

“They got a rough ride on the way into this tournament, the manager and the players, but they’re delivering again, and what a blockbuster of a game it is on Saturday against France - amazing for those lads, because they deserve this type of game on this stage.”

Gary Neville relishing England vs France ‘blockbuster’ at World Cup

England vs Senegal player ratings as Jordan Henderson inspires turnaround in World Cup last-16 win

10:10 , Karl Matchett

England are through to the quarter-finals of the World Cup after thrashing Senegal in Qatar.

The Three Lions survived a couple of early scares against the African champions, with Jordan Pickford saving from Boulaye Dia and Ismaila Sarr missing the target from close range.

But the breakthrough came on the counter-attack, and from an unlikely source as Jordan Henderson finished Jude Bellingham’s cross to give England the lead against the run of play.

The midfield pair were superb throughout - here are the player ratings from England’s fourth game at the World Cup.

Player ratings as Jordan Henderson inspires England response in World Cup last-16 win

England’s route to the World Cup final

09:55 , Karl Matchett

Gareth Southgate’s England squad will be hoping to make it back-to-back finals in major international competitions - and this time go one step better and lift the trophy.

Four years ago the Three Lions reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup as the upturn in international fortunes began under Southgate, before they went the distance to the final at Euro 2020. Now in Qatar the objective will remain the same, to end the long wait since 1966 for success on the biggest stage.

France are next in the last eight; here’s the route to glory for Southgate and the Three Lions.

Who do England play next after beating Senegal?

Pele’s family reject reports of Brazil legend being in palliative care

09:40 , Karl Matchett

Brazil great Pele has not been moved to palliative care, one of his daughters said on Sunday, downplaying reports that he was in end-of-life care after the 82-year-old was hospitalised last week to re-evaluate his treatment as he battles colon cancer.

One of the greatest footballers of all time, Pele had a tumour removed from his colon in September 2021 and has been receiving hospital care on a regular basis.

Newspaper Folha de S.Paulo reported on Saturday that he was under palliative care after chemotherapy stopped having the expected results.

Pele’s doctors have not confirmed that information and his daughter, Flavia Nascimento, said the report was wide of the mark.

“It’s pretty unfair people saying that he is in terminal condition, that he is under palliative care. Believe us: that’s not it,” she said in an interview with Globo TV.

More details here:

Pele’s family reject reports of Brazil legend being in palliative care

England ‘silencing the critics’ to strike fear into others at World Cup, Declan Rice says

09:25 , Karl Matchett

Declan Rice says England are “silencing the critics” and are a better team than Euro 2020, who the rest of the world should be “starting to fear”.

The midfielder added that Gareth Southgate’s side had been “flawless”. Rice pointed to a number of perceived negatives in the team, from scoring to controlling the midfield in big games, and insisted England were now ticking them all off.

“We’re silencing the critics,” he said after the commanding 3-0 win over Senegal in the World Cup last 16. “Going into the tournament, there was a lot of talk that we don’t score enough goals.

“That’s another one we’ve kept people quiet on. There was a lot of scrutiny around the defence and conceding goals, but it’s been solid. We’re going to keep building and pushing.”

Rice said England had evolved since last summer, especially with the introduction of Jude Bellingham in midfield.

More here from the midfielder:

England ‘silencing the critics’ to strike fear into others at World Cup

Why England’s wide men hold the key to beating France after Senegal masterclass

09:10 , Jack Rathborn

A willing tool of the Fifa machine in recent years, it is tempting to write off many of the things Arsene Wenger now says. Fresh from suggesting that the teams who made political statements at this World Cup were cosmically punished by exiting it, that temptation only grew. But his eye for the game itself, the one that so expertly guided Arsenal for so many years, remains as shrewd as it ever was.

“I personally think the team with the best wide players will win this tournament,” he had said at a Fifa technical briefing earlier on Sunday. A matter of hours later, England used their world-class width to devastating effect to down Senegal and book their place in the quarter-finals.

Why England’s wide men hold the key to beating France after Senegal masterclass

Everything wrong with the Qatar World Cup

08:55 , Jack Rathborn

ut of the many facts and figures circulated about Qatar’s problems, there is one realisation that should stand above everything. It is a disgrace that, in 2022, a country can host a World Cup where it has lured millions of people from the poorest countries on earth - often under false pretences - and then forced them into what many call “modern slavery”.

And yet this has just been accepted. The World Cup carries on, an end product of a structure that is at once Orwellian and Kafkaesque. A huge underclass of people work in an autocratic surveillance state, amid an interconnected network of issues that make it almost impossible to escape. “It’s all so embedded,” says Michael Page of Human Rights Watch.

Everything wrong with the Qatar World Cup

Kylian Mbappe will break all records and he’s doing it the old-fashioned way

08:40 , Jack Rathborn

The temptation is to advise Olivier Giroud to enjoy his record. The killjoys and the realists alike could argue he is unlikely to have it for long. Even as he overhauled Thierry Henry to become the most prolific man in the history of the French national team, a threat to his status is accelerating towards him at devastating speed.

The score stands at Giroud 52, Kylian Mbappe 33. The gap could close rapidly. Mbappe does everything quickly and he has chased down more garlanded figures than Giroud. His first goal against Poland took him level with Cristiano Ronaldo on eight in World Cups, his second alongside Lionel Messi on nine. Each is almost certainly in his last World Cup. Mbappe could have three more.

He has emerged as the likely challenger to Miroslav Klose, the 16-goal leading marksman in the competition’s history. Yet Mbappe does not just play the numbers game; not when his defining quality is the pace that makes him viscerally exciting to watch. He is like Henry in overdrive, and not merely because of a fondness for the inside-left channel and a capacity to curl shots into the far corner.

Kylian Mbappe will break all records and he’s doing it the old-fashioned way

The future is now: Jude Bellingham is making the World Cup look easy

08:25 , Jack Rathborn

There was a moment during the build-up to England’s second goal that you stopped and realised a 19-year-old from Stourbridge was already becoming one of the most feared midfielders in world football. Jude Bellingham had already beaten Pathé Ciss to a bouncing ball on the edge of his own box, turning a 50-50 challenge into a landslide victory, winning the ball with a downward header that cared not for the boot that might meet it. There was then the way he shrugged off Youssouf Sabaly, who engaged but then suddenly recoiled as if he had suffered a mild electric shock.

The moment in question, though, the moment that truly illustrated Bellingham’s command of this contest as the first half drew to a close, came immediately after that, when both Nampalys Mendy and Abdou Diallo were sucked into his orbit. Two-thirds of Senegal’s defence turned to face the brute force heading their way, paying no heed to either Phil Foden or Harry Kane’s runs in behind. Bellingham demanded their attention and by grabbing it, he as good as put England two up.

By that point, he had already set up the first. That was not all Bellingham like the second – there was Foden’s flicked backheel by the far touchline, then Kane’s threaded pass through the lines – but the intelligence of Bellingham’s movement and the authority of run into the inside-left channel was what really put Senegal’s defence on the back foot. A nonchalant square pass for Jordan Henderson appeared far simpler to play than it actually was, but that should be no surprise: in almost every game, Bellingham is making playing at your first World Cup look easy.

By that point, he had already set up the first. That was not all Bellingham like the second – there was Foden’s flicked backheel by the far touchline, then Kane’s threaded pass through the lines – but the intelligence of Bellingham’s movement and the authority of run into the inside-left channel was what really put Senegal’s defence on the back foot. A nonchalant square pass for Jordan Henderson appeared far simpler to play than it actually was, but that should be no surprise: in almost every game, Bellingham is making playing at your first World Cup look easy.

The future is now: Jude Bellingham is making the World Cup look easy

Raheem Sterling leaves England World Cup camp after armed robbers break into London home

08:10 , Jack Rathborn

Raheem Sterling has left England’s World Cup camp after armed robbers broke into his London home on Saturday night while his family were there.

Sterling did not feature in England’s World Cup victory against Senegal on Sunday and England manager Gareth Southgate confirmed afterwards that the forward was returning home from Qatar.

Sterling’s partner and children were at home when the armed intruders broke in and the Chelsea forward was left shaken by the incident.

Sterling wanted to return home after being informed of the break-in and Southgate said the player will be granted as much time and “space” as he needs, with the 27-year-old understandably concerned for the well-being of his children.

Raheem Sterling leaves England camp after armed robbers break into London home

Harry Kane under no illusions of challenge England face against France

07:59 , Jack Rathborn

Captain Harry Kane is expecting a “really tough evening” when England play France in the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

Goals from Kane, Jordan Henderson and Bukayo Saka sealed an all-too-comfortable win over Senegal at Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday night.

Next up is the quarter-finals and a meeting with the defending champions.

After cruising through the last-16, Kane is under no illusions as to the challenge his side will face on Saturday.

“It was a solid performance, we took our chances,” he said of the 3-0 win. “France are a great team, they’re reigning world champions. It’s going to be really tough evening.”

Harry Kane under no illusions of challenge England face against France

England stroll into World Cup quarter-finals on night where previous sides may have buckled

07:52 , Jack Rathborn

England make a straight line for the quarter-finals. And then another. And another. That is perhaps the best way to describe this coruscating 3-0 win over Senegal, driven by Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden, as Gareth Southgate’s side reached a third successive quarter-final in major tournaments.

It is only the third time England have managed that in history, which points to how the manager has made a virtue of navigating knock-out rounds. Harry Kane meanwhile seems to rise to them, given this was the second successive tournament where he got his first goal after the group stage.

Such a quality really shouldn’t be dismissed given the difficulty other heavyweight teams have had, not to mention previous England sides. Some of their predecessors might well have panicked under the pressure Senegal created in the opening half-hour, but it brought the opposite response out of Southgate’s players – especially Bellingham.

England stroll into quarter-finals on night where previous sides may have buckled