Only a defeat could have compromised the chances of the Three Lions, who finished the group stage undefeated, at the top of Pool B ahead of the United States, victorious at the same time from Iran (1-0) and who also joined the eighths.

After the attacking festival of the first match against Iran (6-2) then the disappointment of the second against the Americans (0-0), the meeting against the Welsh was perhaps that of maturity for the players of Gareth Southgate .

In search of "balance between freshness and stability", the coach of the Three Lions had done without Mason Mount, Kieran Trippier, Raheem Sterling and Bukayo Saka to prefer Jordan Henderson, Kyle Walker, Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden, at the Stade Ahmad Ben Ali from Doha.

The last two cities proved him completely right, marking and being the main dangers of their selection in this "Britannico".

Rashford opened the scoring with a direct free kick from 25 meters in the skylight, after a fault obtained by … Foden following a lightning acceleration (50th).

Then the midfielder of Manchester City imitated him in stride by taking over a well-felt cross from captain Harry Kane after a high recovery from … Rashford.

But the Manchester United striker did not want to stop there.

Launched deep on the Welsh right side, he transplanted on his left foot before unleashing a low shot between the legs of Joe Rodon and Danny Ward, not free from reproach.

England's 100th goal

It was England's 100th goal in the history of the World Cup, but above all a message sent to Southgate, who had only played about 20 minutes in the first two meetings.

Rashford was even close to the hat-trick, but his shot was deflected this time by Ward for a corner (72nd).

Welsh players in Doha on November 29, 2022 ANDREJ ISAKOVIC AFP

Foden (22) and Rashford, two rivals from Manchester but above all two precocious talents announced very early on as the next generation in the selection, have undoubtedly shown that their time has come.

Before the meeting, Gareth Southgate had summarized the start of the World Cup finalists of the last Euro as follows: "We used the ball well in our first game and scored several goals, the second was harder but we defended well, now we want put these two together."

His players heard it throughout the match against the Welsh, harmless and overwhelmed, but especially in the second period.

Because the Three Lions, soporific and clumsy, did not roar in the first.

On several occasions, we have seen two English players make the same call from deep, or get in the way by being in the same strike zone.

Englishman Marcus Rashford in Doha on November 29, 2022 JAVIER SORIANO AFP

Opposite, it was even worse: only a volley from Joe Allen, with the left foot, animated the first Welsh period (45th + 5).

Symbol of the bankruptcy of his team, captain Gareth Bale left at half-time, replaced by Brennan Johnson.

"The Dragons" leave the Mondial through the back door.

© 2022 AFP