England are unbeaten in 20 internationals against African nations, winning 14 of them, so are fully expected to extend that record here. The Three Lions cruised through the group phase, topping a World Cup group for the first time in 16 years. By putting six past Iran and then scoring three against Wales, England scored 9+ goals in a single group phase campaign at a major tournament for the first time ever. So, the 2018 semi-finalists and Euro 2020 runners-up could hardly come into this tie in better form. However, under Gareth Southgate, their knockout phase matches tend to be low-scoring affairs. Excluding extra time, their seven knockout fixtures under Southgate have produced just 16 goals, four of which came in last year’s demolition of Ukraine in Rome. They’ve kept a clean sheets in eight of their last 13 tournament matches, so another low-scoring England win could be on the cards here. Both of England’s last two matches, against USA and Wales, have been goalless at the break. Similarly, Senegal’s opener with Netherlands was 0-0 at the break, before they’ve netted on the cusp of the interval against both Qatar and Ecuador. Aliou Cissé’s team did win AFCON back in February, but their last 16 competitive outings have produced a measly 31 goals, an average of a goal every 48.4 minutes. So, do not be surprised one bit if the game is scoreless at the break at Al-Bayt Stadium.
Goal scorer tip of the day
If someone is to make the breakthrough, Harry Kane seems the most likely source doesn’t he? The 2018 golden boot winner has had four shots so far, none of which have been on target, but has registered three assists, putting the ball on a plate for Phil Foden on Tuesday. At the Euros last year, Kane looked lacklustre and, frankly, unfit during the group phase, but came alive in the round of 16 against Germany, heading home the decisive second clincher.
Expect another key contribution from captain Kane in Al Khor.
Things To Know
1. This will be the first ever senior international between England and Senegal. It will be the 13th time that England’s first ever match against a nation has come in the World Cup; the Three Lions lost just one of the previous 12 such instances (W7 D4), a 0-1 defeat to USA in 1950.
2. Senegal have alternated between winning (3) and not winning (D1 L2) in their six World Cup meetings with European opponents, losing 2-0 against Netherlands in their most recent game (MD1 of this tournament).
3. England have never lost in seven previous World Cup matches against African opposition (W4 D3); their only previous such game in the knockout stages came against Cameroon in the 1990 quarter-final, winning 3-2 after extra-time, with their goals coming from David Platt and two Gary Lineker penalties.
4. African nations have lost eight of their nine World Cup knockout round games against European sides, with the exception being Senegal’s 2-1 win over Sweden in the round of 16 in 2002. However, in all competitions, England have never lost against an African side in their history (W14 D6).
5. England are looking to reach the quarter-final in consecutive editions of the World Cup for the first time since 2002/2006 – the Three Lions have been eliminated from just two of their seven round of 16 ties at the tournament, doing so against Germany in 2010 (1-4) and via penalty shootout against Argentina in 1998.
Who goes to the next round? England Or Senegal? The 2022 World Cup is unpredictable hence, anything can happen.
