At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, England was eliminated in the group stage. In the following, in 2018, in Russia, it fell in the semifinals, against Croatia, defeated by 2 to 1. In last year’s Euro Cup, coach Gareth Southgate’s team lost the final to Italy, on penalties (3 to 2), after a 1-1 draw.
The growth shown in recent years, with high-level players available to the commander, fuels the group’s optimism in winning the world title in Qatar. The only Cup won by the English was in 1966, when Gordon Banks, Bobby Moore and Bob Charlton triumphed at home.
To keep the dream of the second championship, England needs to pass through Senegal, this Sunday (4th), at 4 pm (BrasÃlia time). The round of 16 clash is scheduled for the Al Bayt stadium, in Al Khor.
Still undefeated, England finished the first phase at the top of Group B, winning seven points in their group for the first time since the 2006 World Cup, in Germany. Senegal, second in Group A, lost 2-0 to the Netherlands (2-0) in their debut, but recovered by beating Qatar 3-1 and Ecuador 2-1.
The great strength of the English team, according to midfielder Phil Foden, is precisely the cast full of good players available to coach Gareth Southgate. And everyone is available, without physical or disciplinary problems.
“Our group is very qualified. You look at the bench and you see so many good players who can come in and make a difference. It’s definitely a nice thing to have and we’re going to need that to go far in the competition,” said Foden.
“We are all training well and playing well, so I think it will be a good headache for Gareth to choose who starts playing. At the Euro we came very close to the title. Now, with the qualified group we have, I believe we can win it.” lo,” added the Manchester City midfielder.
Captain and reference of the attack, the striker Harry Kane is still looking for his first goal in Qatar, to approach the historic top scorer of the England team, Wayne Rooney, with 53 goals. Kane is 51. He has been criticized by the crowd for not having yet scored, but he is a key part of Southgate and has featured in moments that ended with the ball in the net.
On the side of Senegal, who are playing for the second time in the knockout stage (they reached the quarterfinals in 2002, at the World Cup in South Korea and Japan), coach Aliou Cissé, in addition to not being able to count on his best player, striker Sadio Mané, who didn’t even go to Qatar, will have other important absences: midfielders Idrissa Gueye, suspended for having taken two yellow cards in the group stage, and Cheikhou Kouyaté, injured.
Thus, the Senegalese fans will count more than ever on a good performance by goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, chosen by FIFA as the best in the world in the position in 2021, to hold back the English offensive power. His companions will seek the way to overcome the experienced English archer Pickford. If the duel is not decided in normal time, there will be 30 minutes of extra time and, if necessary, penalties.
“This will be a new stage for us. We know that we are in the knockout stage, which is completely different from what we are used to playing in group stage matches. Now it is a win or lose situation, there are no second chances. If you win, you pass. If you lose, you go home”, commented Cissé.
To move towards the title, England has a good record against African teams in the World Cup. So far, there have been seven clashes, with four English wins and three draws. Senegal has a record of three wins, one draw and two defeats against European rivals.
“We know that by ranking we are favourites, and we have to deal with that. But Senegal is a very dangerous team. The first objective is achieved. So far we are very satisfied. The big business starts now”, said Southgate.
“The African teams sent a strong message: Cameroon beat Brazil, Tunisia beat France. That’s why we think we can beat England,” said Senegal assistant coach Régis Bogaert, who attended the pre-match press conference on the spot. of Aliou Cissé, sick.
As a seasoned news journalist, I bring a wealth of experience to the field. I’ve worked with world-renowned news organizations, honing my skills as a writer and reporter. Currently, I write for the sports section at News Bulletin 247, where I bring a unique perspective to every story.
