Vying for a spot within the World Cup quarter-finals, England and last-16 opponents Senegal go head-to-head at Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday.
After Gareth Southgate’s aspect topped Group B by beating Wales, a first-ever assembly between the nations sees the Three Lions sort out the Lions of Teranga, who made it by means of to the knockout rounds due to an important intervention from their captain.
Senegal mustn’t lack in that the majority treasured of commodities both, as they arrived within the Center East as African champions and have since negotiated secure passage to the knockout part for only a second time.
Edging out Ecuador in a winner-takes-all contest, they have been indebted to captain Kalidou Koulibaly for his Seventieth-minute winner at Khalifa Worldwide Stadium on Tuesday.
The centre-back’s managed volley was required after Ismaila Sarr’s first-half penalty had been equalised by their South American opponents, however Aliou Cisse’s aspect finally backed up a victory over Qatar. The latter end result got here after a disappointing loss to the Netherlands of their first fixture.
Cisse, supported by assistant El Hadji Diouf – one other hero of Senegal’s legendary 2002 marketing campaign – now goals to guide his nation into the quarter-finals by upsetting a gifted England aspect and maybe establishing an emotional re-match with France, who they slayed within the finals’ opening recreation 20 years in the past.
The previous Birmingham Metropolis midfielder could also be with out star man Sadio Mane in Qatar, however since his appointment in 2015 has nurtured a spirited and tactically conscious squad – the majority of which lifted a primary Africa Cup of Nations trophy after successful the ultimate on penalties again in February.
Whereas African groups have misplaced eight of 9 World Cup knockout matches towards European opponents to this point – the only real exception being a Senegalese win over Sweden – if it involves spot-kicks the Lions of Teranga may subsequently have a definite edge over their English counterparts, who’ve so typically seen shootouts end in painful failure.
If Senegal do pull off an enormous upset, it should mark the primary time they’ve gained three video games at a single World Cup, having additionally gained two en path to the final eight in 2002.
Gamers to Watch
England: Jude Bellingham
At 19 years and 153 days, Bellingham turned the second-youngest participant to succeed in 20 caps in England’s 3-0 win over Wales and dominated the midfield in doing so.
He gained possession seven instances, tied with John Stones for probably the most of any participant within the recreation, and had a passing accuracy of 90 per cent. Nevertheless, Senegal’s midfield has extra depth and extra expertise than that of Wales, and this recreation guarantees to be a sterner take a look at of his undoubted high quality.
Senegal: Ismaila Sarr
The Lions of Teranga have had 5 completely different goalscorers at this World Cup, however Sarr often is the one among whom England would be the most cautious.
He scored from the penalty spot towards Ecuador and in addition had probably the most touches of their field (5) and performed extra passes into the ultimate third than every other participant (13), with eight of them correct.
Firmly within the store window having missed out on a transfer away from Championship aspect Watford earlier than the season, this can be a enormous alternative for Sarr to impress.
Prediction
England and Senegal could also be assembly one another for the primary time, however Stats Carry out’s AI supercomputer has little doubt about the way in which this one will go.
The Three Lions, who’ve by no means misplaced of their seven World Cup conferences with African opposition, are given a 63.5 p.c shot of prevailing.
Senegal are appreciable underdogs at 13.8 p.c, with a draw that will power additional time or penalties a extra sensible end result at 22.7 p.c.
