Football World Cup: England march into World Cup second round with big win over Wales

England's Marcus Rashford, top, celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Wales. Photo / AP

Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden got their chance and made their point.

Rashford scored twice and Foden added the other as England changed up its attack and beat Wales 3-0 today at the World Cup to advance to the round of 16 at the top of Group B.

England will next face Senegal in the round of 16 on Monday NZT. Wales finished in last place in the group and has been eliminated. USA also advanced following a 1-0 win over Iran to set up a clash with Netherlands.

Click here for World Cup groups and standings

“Moments like this, this is what I play football for. The biggest moments, the best moments,” said Rashford, who came off the bench in the first two matches in Qatar. “I’m happy we are going through to the next round of the tournament because I have massive ambitions for this team and I think we can play even better than we did today.”

Both Rashford and Foden had come on as substitutes in the opening win over Iran, and Rashford did so again in the match against the United States, which ended in a 0-0 draw.

Today, England coach Gareth Southgate opted to drop Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling to the bench and give Rashford and Foden a chance from the start.

“We were a little bit disappointed after the USA result,” said Rashford, who also scored in the 6-2 win over Iran. “I thought we could’ve played a lot better and it was important to have a good performance the next game.”

England had the game wrapped up just after halftime with Rashford scoring from a free kick in the 50th minute and Foden adding another in the 51st. Rashford got his second after a weaving run in the box in the 68th.

Wales captain Gareth Bale was forced off at halftime with an injury.

Three goals. Three points.#ThreeLions | @GoogleCloud_UKI pic.twitter.com/H7eRTIoHCJ

— England (@England) November 29, 2022

More brilliance from @MarcusRashford and he’s now the World Cup’s joint leading goalscorer. Played himself into the side. So thrilled for him.

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) November 29, 2022