England will face Senegal in the Round of 16 at the 2022 Qatar World Cup on Sunday. So, HITC Football looks at a combined XI from the two with Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford.
The Three Lions followed the Lions of Teranga in securing a place in the Al Bayt Stadium tie on Tuesday. Gareth Southgate’s squad swept aside Wales in a 3-0 win to top Group B from the USA. Senegal had already secured a place in the knockouts as the Group A runners-up.
Senegal won two of their three first round fixtures after beating Qatar 3-1 and Ecuador 2-1 to claim second place. Aliou Cisse’s West Africans had kicked their campaign off with a 2-0 defeat to the Netherlands. Oranje would ultimately claim first place in Group A by a point.
England and Senegal will meet for the very first time at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar
England produced their best display at the 2022 World Cup so far in their opening meeting with Iran. Southgate’s squad stormed to a 6-2 win over Team Melli but could only draw 0-0 with the USA. They also endured a frustrating first half against Wales before they won 3-0.
Cymru offered little in attack but they weathered much of what the Three Lions attempted before the break. Yet Marcus Rashford broke their resistance five minutes into the second half. Danny Ward mistakenly moved to his right to leave Rashford free to score a free-kick.
Phil Foden swiftly doubled England’s advantage within a minute of Rashford rifling his free-kick into the net. A great solo effort from Rashford then secured their result and England’s date with Senegal in the Round of 16 at the 2022 Qatar World Cup on Sunday, December 4.
The Al Bayt Stadium showdown will be the first time a Three Lions side has ever faced the Lions of Teranga. The two nations have never previously met in all competitions. So, ahead of the knockout stage meeting, HITC Football looks at a combined England and Senegal XI.
Jordan Pickford (GK): England’s No.1 will eye his fourth clean sheet at a World Cup
Jordan Pickford will have his eyes on recording his fourth clean sheet at a World Cup when England face Senegal. The Everton goalkeeper only registered one shut out at Russia 2018 over seven appearances. But he has already kept the USA and Wales from scoring in Qatar.
Senegal’s Edouard Mendy could also go into the Round of 16 tie with England with a point to prove. The Chelsea star has not had a flawless time in Qatar so far. Cody Gakpo beat the 30-year-old to the ball to net for the Netherlands and he was static to deny Ecuador a goal.
Kyle Walker (RB): England have their first-choice full-back fit to face Senegal
England will have their first-choice right-back, Kyle Walker, fit to face Senegal in the Round of 16 at Qatar 2022. The Manchester City ace returned from groin surgery to start against Wales and showed no signs of rust having not featured for a single second since October 2.
Kalidou Koulibaly (CB): Senegal’s captain emerged as Cisse’s hero vs Ecuador
Senegal faced Ecuador in their final Group A fixture knowing they had to win to advance to the knockout stages. All was on course when Ismaila Sarr converted a 44th-minute penalty. But Mendy’s slow reactions saw Moises Caicedo draw La Tricolor level in the 67th minute.
Yet Ecuador would only stay level – and in the Round of 16 – for three minutes. Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly restored the Lions of Teranga’s lead with his first international goal in his 67th cap. The centre-back placed a perfect volley into the back of El Tri’s goal.
Harry Maguire (CB): An outcast at Manchester United is shining for England
Harry Maguire has become an outcast at Manchester United this season but is shining for England in Qatar. The centre-back arrived at the World Cup having only started one of his two Premier League appearances since August. Yet he has been vital for Southgate’s side.
Luke Shaw (LB): The left-back showed against Iran the crosses he can deliver
Luke Shaw showed against Iran that he can produce inch-perfect crosses into the area for England to score. His deliveries were not as flawless against the USA or Wales. But the left-back has often been untroubled defensively and is also quick to latch onto any loose balls.
Declan Rice (CDM): The West Ham skipper is keeping things ticking over for England
West Ham United captain Declan Rice has often played a constrained role with England at the World Cup so far. His passing has mostly been steady and unimaginative. But his work protecting the backline and keeping the Three Lions ticking over is key in Southgate’s side.
Jude Bellingham (CDM): The World Cup stage is not too big for the 19-year-old
Jude Bellingham has proven to everyone that the World Cup stage is not too big for the 19-year-old. The Borussia Dortmund star became England’s second youngest goalscorer at the FIFA tournament ever against Iran. He has continued to deliver surging runs from midfield.
Bukayo Saka (RM): Southgate has given himself a decision by resting the Arsenal ace
Southgate has left himself with a tough decision to make over the England XI that will face Senegal on Sunday. The Three Lions boss opted to rest Bukayo Saka against Wales after he scored twice against Iran. But Rashford lit up the Cymru clash in the Arsenal star’s place.
Ismaila Sarr (CAM): The Watford dynamo is off the mark for Senegal in Qatar
Sarr is off the mark at Qatar 2022 after scoring Senegal’s first goal against Ecuador to claim a Round of 16 tie with England. The Watford dynamo started all three of his nation’s Group A games. He has also created five goalscoring chances for his teammates, per WhoScored.
Marcus Rashford (LM): Southgate could be proactive and start his two star wingers
Southgate can be proactive and start both Saka and Rashford when England face Senegal on Sunday. It would provide the Three Lions with a heightened attacking threat from what Raheem Sterling has so far offered. Foden did not do enough to start ahead of the wingers.
Harry Kane (ST): The striker is yet to score but can offer England much more
Harry Kane is yet to score a World Cup goal in 2022 when he had five in the group stage in 2018. The Tottenham Hotspur talisman would take the Golden Boot in Russia with his six goals – one in the last 16. But he has three assists in Qatar as he gives England much more.
Southgate might be concerned that Kane is not getting into the area to finish the chances England are creating, though. He only took three touches inside the USA’s box during their 0-0 draw, per WhoScored. He then took just one touch inside Wales’ box on Tuesday night.
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