The Qatar World Cup had its first two last 16 line-ups confirmed as Group B champions England set up a clash with Group A runners-up Senegal, while Group A winners the Netherlands take on Group B runners up the USA. On the 10th day of the 28-day event, the first batch of round three games were completed as the Three Lions became the tournament's highest scorers with nine goals. Here are the talking points from the four games which saw Ecuador, Iran and Wales exit the competition.
Sweet headache for Southgate, USA overcome Iran in high-octane clash
Gareth Southgate deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation in the first two matches against Iran and the US, but switched to a 4-3-3 against Wales after the drab goalless draw against the Americans. Raheem Sterling, Mason Mount, Bukayo Saka and Kieran Trippier made way for Marcus Rashford, Jordan Henderson, Phil Foden and Kyle Walker as the England manager made four changes. Despite being the better side, England went into the first half break unable to break deadlock against a Welsh side content to sit back and hurt on the counter. However, with an anonymous Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey a poor shadow of his past, it looked pretty apparent that it was a case of when, not if, England would score.
Southgate decided to tweak the line-up at half time, switching Foden from the right flank to the left and Rashford from the left to the right. It is through these channels that England went on to score two of their three second half goals. Rashford broke the deadlock with a delightful free-kick – first such instance in this World Cup – before Foden finished off a Harry Kane assist to double the lead. Rashford added the third from a Kalvin Phillips pass to become the tournament's joint top-scorer with three goals alongside Ecuador's Enner Valencia, France's Kylian Mbappe and the Netherlands' Cody Gakpo.
In the process, Rashford and Kane joined esteemed company as the former became the first Manchester United player to score thrice for England at a World Cup after Sir Bobby Charlton in 1966, while the latter replicated David Beckham's feat of providing three assists in 2002.
The England manager, with two praiseworthy tournament performances under his belt, now faces a dilemma whether to revert to the 4-2-3-1 or stick to 4-3-3. England's personnel in the last 16 clash will perhaps be a major topic of discussion in the next few days; will loyal Southgate go back to his tried-and-tested disciples in Sterling, Saka and Mount or give the exciting Rashford and Foden another run? It is anybody's guess right now.
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The Americans, in contrast, have made the Round of 16 three times in the last four editions, the only exception being 2018 when they didn't qualify for the tournament. Gregg Berhalter's charges can rightly look to the Dutch clash with optimism after three good group stage displays. The Stars and Stripes were unlucky to come out of the Welsh clash with a 1-1 draw, before holding star-studded England to a goalless draw. In the blockbuster clash against Iran, the Americans dominated possession and had the better chances as Christian Pulisic's first half strike sealed all three points in the end. Besides their “Captain America” Pulisic, they also have the exciting talents of Timothy Weah and Yunus Musah, while Juventus' Weston McKennie adds strength in midfield. USA last reached the quarter-finals in 2002 when Berhalter was a part of the USA squad.
Dutch delight, Mane-less Senegal deny Ecuador
If the USA are to upset the Dutch, they need to keep in close check the likes of Gakpo and Frenkie De Jong, who along with the defensive solidity of Liverpool's Virgil Van Dijk were key in guiding the Netherlands out of the group with relative ease. Gakpo, who had a prolific time scoring goals and assisting with PSV Eindhoven recently, is turning heads in the World Cup amid rumors of a potential transfer to compatriot Erik ten Hag's United. He completed the perfect set of goals – header against Senegal, left foot strike against Ecuador and right foot effort against Qatar – and will be chomping at the bit to further enhance his reputation as a goalscorer in the USA audition.
Senegal joined them in the last 16 with victory over Ecuador. The African champions' build up to the tournament received a jolt when star man Sadio Mane was ruled out to injury, but his teammates carried on fighting without their irreplaceable teammate, and admirably registered two victories out of three. Records are meant to be broken, even more so at this World Cup. England, who have scored nine goals in the group stage for the first time in history, have never lost to African opposition, winning 14 times and drawing on six occasions. Perhaps Aliou Cisse and his charges will have something to say about that.