KEIR RADNEDGE in DOHA —- England, after a shaky start, found both class and cutting edge to win what had been their most important match since the Euro 2020 final. Goals from Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka delivered a 3-0 lead over Senegal 3-0 in their World Cup Round of 16 clash.

However their key player in front of 65,985 in the Al Bayt stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha, was midfielder Jude Bellingham who set up two of the goals and was outstanding until his eventual replacement by Mason Mount late in the second half.

The prize for manager Gareth Southgate and his squad is a quarter-final against World Cup holders France who had beaten Poland 3-1 hours earlier.

A cagey opening brought few chances and, though England had the more possession, the first two to fell to Senegal after misplaced passes.

England – ready for Senegal

In the 12th minute Boulaye Dia shot over the bar under pressure from Jordan Pickford after Harry Maguire had given away possession. Then Saka was the culprit in the 31st minute and Pickford was forced into a sharp one-handed save from the alert Dia once more.

England, undeterred, kept on circulating and probing and the strategy paid off in the 39th minute.

A neat lay-off from Kane freed Bellingham to power into the penalty box and square for the incoming Henderson to shoot home. Minutes later it could have been 2-0 but Saka’s right-wing cross dropped a little too late for Kane who scooped the ball over the bar.

England’s captain made amends on the stroke of halftime.

Senegal threw everyone forward and when the attack broke down, Bellingham took control. The Borussia Dortmund teenager stormed up the pitch, shrugged off two challenges and found Foden whose single touch opened the way for Kane to score his first goal of these finals.

Senegal, having made three changes, started the second half brightly but without creating serious danger and Engand extended their lead in the 57th minute. Kane sent Foden up the left wing to cross for Saka to skip in front of the defence and score from close range.

Foden and Saka were then withdrawn for battles ahead and substituted by Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford. They had earned their rest.

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