Wales 0 England 3 reactions: Rashford roars as Three Lions win group

Speaking after the match, Southgate was full of praise for Rashford after his two-goal display. “It’s great for him, he has trained really well,” he told the BBC. “He has been impressive since he came back to us, he could have had a hat-trick. That free kick is what he is capable of, it’s an incredible strike.”

Phil Foden scored England’s second goal against Wales

Richard Sellers/Getty Images

A ‘sobering tournament’ for Wales

After losing to Iran in their second group game, Wales were needing a miracle to qualify for the knockout stages. However, there was to be “no more dreaming” in Qatar, said Ian Mitchelmore on WalesOnline. Against England, the Dragons “fully absorbed the harsh lessons” they had been taught on their “return to the big time”.

Page’s side have always “relied heavily on the inspiration” provided by captain Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, but the “two great figures of this fine era” for Welsh football “found this World Cup a step too far”, said Phil McNulty on the BBC. Those around them were “simply not of the quality” to make up for that deficit. 

Taken off at half-time because of an injury, talisman Bale only had seven touches in an “anonymous display”, McNulty added. It was a “really, really sad end” to a desperately poor World Cup for Bale, said Tom Coleman on WalesOnline. For a man “who has given his all” for his country, it “shouldn’t have ended like this”. 

Put out of their World Cup misery by England, this was a “sobering tournament” for Wales, Mitchelmore added. Following the “hefty defeat” to their neighbours, a “changing of the guard” ahead of Euro 2024 qualifying is now likely. 

Article source: https://www.theweek.co.uk/news/sport/football/958682/wales-0-england-3-reactions-rashford-three-lions-win-group-fifa-world-cup