19 of the best stats, memes and reactions to England’s big World Cup win over Wales
England booked their place in the last 16 of the World Cup in style with a brilliant 3-0 victory over old foes Wales.
The result means that Wales leave Qatar, having finished bottom of the group.
Players including Sorba Thomas and Kieffer Moore had spoken pre-match of how they’d relish the prospect of eliminating England.
But it wasn’t to be for the Dragons, who famously went viral on social media six years back as their dressing room celebrations over England’s Euro 2016 exit to Iceland didn’t go forgotten in the build-up to this make-or-break World Cup clash.
The first half was relatively cagey and not a million miles away from the shape of Friday night’s bore draw against the USA. Gareth Southgate had made a number of changes, bringing in the likes of Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden, and his selections were vindicated when England stepped it up a gear immediately after the break.
Rashford put England ahead with a brilliantly-taken free-kick and within a matter of moments, Foden doubled the lead.
The Manchester United forward made it three on 68th minute, doing brilliantly to cut inside and finish after taking down a long ball forward from substitute Kalvin Phillips.
The brace means that Rashford is now tied as the joint top-scorer in the competition, alongside France superstar Kylian Mbappe, Ecuador forward Enner Valencia and the Netherlands’ breakout star Cody Gakpo.
“It’s great for him, he has trained really well. He has been impressive since he came back to us, he could have had a hat-trick. That free kick is what he is capable, it’s an incredible strike,” Southgate told the BBC.
“In moments I thought both of them [Rashford and Foden] were quiet in the first half, so we switched wings. They responded well, for both to get goals was great.”
“It’s obviously a great feeling,” said Rashford in his post-match interview.
“We were disappointed as a team after the last game, we could have played a lot better. The only way to bounce back is to play better in your next game.
“Moments like this, this is what I play football for. I am really happy today to be going into the next round of the tournament, because I have massive ambition for this team and I think we can go a lot further.”
Here are 19 of our favourite moments, memes and reactions as well as the best standout stats from England’s 3-0 win.
Gareth Southgate was asked to describe why England v Wales is a local rivalryā¦š³ pic.twitter.com/348M9JrsbF
— Dom Smith (@MrDomSmith) November 28, 2022
Wales (0.32) 0-3 (2.33) England
— The xG Philosophy (@xGPhilosophy) November 29, 2022
This angle of Marcus Rashford's free-kick is unbelievable! #ENG šš®āšØ pic.twitter.com/eEpM8lxhNd
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) November 29, 2022
BREAKING: Ronaldo is claiming Foden's goal #ENGWAL
— Domino's Pizza UK (@Dominos_UK) November 29, 2022
Marcus Rashford now has as many World Cup goals as Johan Cruyff
— Duncan Alexander (@oilysailor) November 29, 2022
England's first ever double #WhisperItQuietly World Cup?
— Adam Hurrey (@FootballCliches) November 29, 2022
Marcus Rashford is the first #MUFC player to score three goals at a major tournament for England since Sir Bobby Charlton at the 1966 World Cup.šš pic.twitter.com/TnlQpxcSQ2
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) November 29, 2022
Marcus Rashford has now scored as many World Cup goals as David Beckham (3), and more than Wayne Rooney (1).
United past and present representing England on the biggest stage. š“ pic.twitter.com/8A0jEvDyku
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) November 29, 2022
3 – Harry Kane is the first England player to assist three goals at a single men's World Cup since David Beckham in 2002 (also three). Providers. pic.twitter.com/ABSH8YcwiY
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 29, 2022
This is, by an absolute mile, the best atmosphere of the World Cup so far. (even with still quite a few empty seats). Proper noise. #USAvIRN
— Adam Crafton (@AdamCrafton_) November 29, 2022
England and Wales fans boo as Gianni Infantino appears on the big screen.
We love to see it. š¤
— Alfie | HITC Sevens (@HITCSevens) November 29, 2022
Harry Maguire watched Ronaldinho comps before the game#ENG #wal
— Joel Beya (@joelbeya) November 29, 2022
Wembley is bouncing! š #ThreeLions #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/elHXDSpnVJ
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) November 29, 2022
GOAL: Foden
ASSIST: The Clamour— Adam Hurrey (@FootballCliches) November 29, 2022
Kyle Walker š¤ Triple H pic.twitter.com/7hkEuxkkuK
— COPA90 (@Copa90) November 29, 2022
Maguire trying the John OāShea Special. pic.twitter.com/zt3JOjR9F3
— Dan (@GolazoDan) November 29, 2022
At the last World Cup, Jude Bellingham hadnāt even made his debut for Birmingham Under-23s š®āšØ
— Ed Malyon (@eaamalyon) November 29, 2022
"World Cup half-time show with Chesney Hawkes".#WALENG #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/U6m0h4HjZs
— Brian Stokes (@brianstokes92) November 29, 2022
Michael Sheen right now: pic.twitter.com/430romi7DP
— Aidan James (@mcandidate) November 29, 2022
All of Scotland when Senegal play England in the next round. pic.twitter.com/lysJ4OLUn5
— Euan McTear (@emctear) November 29, 2022
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