World Cup: England in last 16 - as Gareth Southgate warns they face a 'very dangerous team' in next match

November 30, 2022

The England team have reached the final 16 in the World Cup - but manager Gareth Southgate has warned they face a "very dangerous team" in their next match.

England beat Wales 3-0 at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Qatar last night and will play Senegal on Sunday.

Senegal is 18th in the FIFA world rankings, while England is fifth.

Southgate said there was no room for complacency, however, and his players would be studying their competition between now and the clash.

He said of Senegal: "I haven't been able to see their games in the tournament.

"I saw them play Iran in Vienna in September, so had a good look at them then.

"From now, from when we get the coach to go home, we'll be studying the games to prepare for the game.

"We obviously know quite a few of the individuals, some big players playing in big leagues in Europe, some playing in England."

He added: "We know that on the rankings we'll be the favourites. We've got to deal with that. But we play a very dangerous team."

Read more:
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For Wales, the game on Tuesday night was one of disappointment and devastation as they were left behind by the talent of Marcus Rashford, the 25-year-old Manchester United striker.

He scored two of England's three goals, with the other going to Phil Foden.

Rashford has scored three goals in as many games at this World Cup, despite struggling for form and fitness in the months before the tournament.

He later said that his goals were dedicated to his friend Garfield Hayward, who died from cancer days before the game.

Southgate said: "I went and saw [Rashford] in the summer, had a long chat with him and he had some clear ideas on things that he felt he needed to think about and to do.

"You can see with his club there has been happiness in his performances this year, and I have to say that has shown itself on the training ground all the time with us."

"We've got a different version completely to the player we had in the Euros last summer, so he's managed to produce those moments tonight.

"He could have had a hat-trick, really, with the chance in the first half and then the one at the near post towards the end.

"But great for him and because it's great for him it's great for us."

England fans at the game were delighted but some Welsh supporters left before the final whistle.

John Holden, 65, from Nottingham, said: "It was absolutely amazing.

"Wales were so poor, even first half we were just messing with them, getting them tired - Rashford, second half, he terrified them."

He added: "The fans were bouncing, we were absolutely bouncing and we still are."

Scott Kind, 49, who lives in Qatar, said it was a "brilliant result" and on England's hopes for the rest of the tournament, he added: "Decent draw second round and we'll see - I don't want to jinx it."

Wales supporter Huw Phillips, 54, from Carmarthen, said his team had "held their own" in the first half but were "under the cosh" in the second, adding: "The dream is over but the boys have done well.

"I'm very proud, never been prouder."

For the England players, there will be alcohol-free celebrations, due to Qatar's rules, before they settle down to concentrate on the work ahead.

Southgate said: "We've got loads of milkshake back at the hotel.

"Everything is different, isn't it? We're embracing it.

"We love our base camp, the people that are operating the hotel are fabulous people. Really we couldn't be happier.

"We're enjoying each other's company and the players are really tight, so to this point we're very pleased

"Of course the big business starts now, really."

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