For this match, the first meeting ever between the two Nations, England resisted the temptation to play Marcus Rashford from the start, despite the fact that Raheem Sterling was unavailable, due to a family problem at home, and also despite Rashford's good showing against Wales in their last group match. It was a brave move by Gareth Southgate, and in the first 30 seconds, as Jordan Pickford hurried a clearance, it was soon pretty obvious that the lively Senegal players were hell bent on closing England down rapidly at every opportunity. Maybe Rashford's talents would be needed later perhaps if the Senegalese continued to threaten? All was to be revealed.

In a very hectic opening to the game both sides were desperate for a crucial first goal. Jordan Henderson almost found Phil Foden with a through pass, whilst at the other end Boulaye Dia got the better of John Stones, but as he tackled back, Harry Maguire's knee deflected the ball to Pickford. Lots of niggly fouls littered the game in the first ten minutes as both sides were seeking a breakthrough. It led to a few theatrical screams from the players going down. On 8 minutes Harry Kane, from out on the right, put in a fine cross that he himself would have loved to have been on the end of. The Senegalese drumbeat, music and dancing in the stands, showed the sort of mood that their fans were in, whilst the England fans were already chewing nails, it was a disjointed start from their heroes.

On 32 minutes there came, what later proved to be a real turning point of the match. Boulaye Dia burst through, and only a strong left-hand from Pickford saved the day as he pushed away the goalbound shot. At this stage there were too many England players just not performing well enough, with Bukayo Saka very quiet, and others, although working hard, not making much impact. More careless defending by Stones and Kyle Walker, added to the worries of the England fans, but then, on 39 minutes, and out of absolutely nowhere, the balance of the mood changed completely.

A wonderful through pass from Phil Foden to a marauding Jude Bellingham and his terrific pull-back was met by that Man for all Seasons, Jordan Henderson, who calmly stroked the ball past the goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, with the minimum of fuss and the expertise of Jimmy Greaves!! What a game changer that was, and just what the team, the country, the WORLD, wanted to see. (Calm down Mike, it's only a game!)

Two minutes later, we were so near to a second as Saka, suddenly bursting into life, found Kane with a fine cross, but the striker shot over. As the half's crescendo was growing, Luke Shaw made a fine lung-bursting run into the box only to delay his cross a fraction too long and the chance was gone. But now so much better from England, with Bellingham pulling the strings again. Declan Rice, also battling hard, won a corner, and then three minutes into the added time, the moment we had all waited for. A brilliant interception and break from Bellingham, saw him forge past defenders as though they weren't there. Halfway inside the Senegal half he slipped a pass inside to Foden, who sent it immediately into the path of Kane. This time, the Tottenham man took aim and drilled an unstoppable shot past the perplexed Mendy. The goalkeeper's expression said it all, "How has this scoreline happened?", was what he was appearing to say, a question we were all asking as the players trooped off at the break.

Oh, how different the second-half was. The goals had completely knocked the stuffing out of the Senegal team, and although they made three substitutions at the restart, it made little difference as by now, England had their game together, playing with the air of confidence the goals have given them.

Pape Sarr, shot wide early on, but over the next ten minutes England came back again. Great play by Rice and Kane gave Saka a chance, but he shot over, and then on 56 minutes Kane hit a dipping and swerving shot that had Mendy saving, but not without difficulty. A minute later, and England cemented their win. Foden broke down the left, and his a wonderful centre low into the box, knowing that Saka was lurking. The Arsenal man supplied the most sublime of finishes as he flipped the ball over the diving goalkeeper for a 3-0 lead. A terrific goal, and game over!

England's now total control of the match allowed Southgate to bring on Rashford and Jack Grealish, with Saka and Foden's jobs done. The Senegal beat did carry on for a while, but it did seem a tad more muted than it had been earlier. Edmundo Ros would have loved that beat (remember him?), but as I kept saying as the cameras showed the crowd still dancing, Edmundo had left the building!!

For the most part the final 20 minutes were a series of substitutions and half-chances, with neither side having a clear path to goal. There was no need, as England and especially the outstanding Bellingham, controlled proceedings, and we now move on to what will probably be a much more difficult game. A word of warning though, if we start against the French like we started this match, then we might be in trouble. But, have faith, as they say, in Gareth and his boys.
  

Source Notes