As England advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals thanks to goals from Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane, and Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham displayed masterful midfield play against Senegal.
Gareth Southgate reinstated Saka to the starting lineup and kept Phil Foden because France was waiting for the victor on Saturday.
However, Bellingham, 19, stood out as the catalyst for the Three Lions’ successful attacks in the first half.
The highly regarded Borussia Dortmund star strode free to cut the ball across for Henderson to slot home after 38 minutes, ending an uncomfortable period in which Southgate’s team repeatedly gave away possession too cheaply.
And in the final seconds of the first half, he gave England another boost by releasing Foden on a counterattack to set up Kane for the second goal.
Senegal made adjustments after the break in an effort to claw their way back into the match, but when Foden squared for Saka to make it three in the 57th, they found themselves even further behind.
England’s next fixture
We see who heads into the semi-final after England goes up against France in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
