This World Cup is just getting started, but England are where we want them to be – comfortably in the last 16, and the only problems Gareth Southgate has at the moment are good ones.
It thrills everyone when we play like we did in the second half against Wales. Yes, there are bigger tests to come, but let’s enjoy a good performance which prepares us perfectly for Sunday, and Senegal.
We talk about different sides having an identity, and it was a great example of what I want England’s identity to be: we had a high press, a lot of energy and we were at the forefront .
It won’t work every game, but we’re a much better team when we play that way.
We looked sharp in the attacking positions and our midfield was solid, and the defense did everything asked of them – just like in each of our three games in Group B.
The team is full of conviction, which is nice to see, and we seem to be well placed in every way.
I’m happy with what I saw – and excited for what’s to come.
Foden and Rashford set to start against Senegal
It’s fantastic for Southgate to have so many options on our front line, and choosing who should play is a good problem to have.
We have a lot of attacking talent, so when one of them has an opportunity in this England team, they have to make the most of it.
When Southgate brought in Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford for the game against Wales he was basically saying ‘You guys I want to see what you can do’.
They certainly showed it to him.
There are still arguments for Raheem Sterling and Bukayo Saka to play, and Jack Grealish as well, but I would expect Foden and Rashford to start against Senegal on Sunday too – they’ve certainly done enough.
Both of Rashford’s goals were fantastic and I’m delighted Foden got on the scoresheet too. A lot of people, myself included, were screaming for him to play and he justified it with his performance.
Southgate also received big calls
I am delighted for Southgate that his decisions have materialized.
He gets a lot of stick for not making the right tactical or selection decisions, or using the right substitutes at the right time, so we have to give him credit for being perfect against Wales.
He not only brought Foden and Rashford down the flanks, but at half-time he decided to switch positions and that made a big difference – they looked happier that way and they scored our goals.
It wasn’t just Southgate’s selection that worked, however. It was also his tactic.
We were measured and mature in the first half, but picked up the pace after the break and got our reward. Once we were 1-0 up, the game was over and it only remained to be seen how many we would get.
Goals are not a problem
This victory was not due to individuals; the balance of the whole team was good.
I loved the energy Jude Bellingham gave us in midfield – he’s got engine on him. He kept pushing us forward for more goals and was always trying to get up there to get to the bottom of things.
We scored our second goal by pressing on Wales, almost from the kick-off after the first goal, and the whole team did it together, high up on the pitch.
Harry Kane still hasn’t had a shot on target at this World Cup, but he now has three assists, and his cross for Foden to score was ridiculously good – he put the ball exactly where he wanted it to. he puts it away himself. .
Rashford’s third goal was probably the one I enjoyed the most as it happened at high speed and it was nice to see him working on his left foot and putting it away. By the time the Welsh defender adjusts to his run, it’s too late.
They’re all great goals, and scoring them clearly isn’t a problem – we’re currently the tournament’s top scorers with nine. Open play or set pieces, other teams will wonder how they can keep us out.
It’s not the time to get carried away, but what we have after that is some momentum and that’s so important now.
I don’t think England would have been too affected by their disappointing draw with the United States, but that performance had everything this game was missing and we can take it all forward.
Senegal will always be a dangerous opponent, even without injured Sadio Mane, but I’m really confident that England will have enough to beat him and reach the quarter-finals.
Alan Shearer was talking to Chris Bevan in Doha, Qatar.
