England overcame a sticky start to record an impressive 3-0 win over Senegal and advance to the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup at the Al Bayt Stadium.
Gareth Southgate's error-ridden side were handed a couple of early scares by the Lions of Teranga, but two quickfire strikes from Jordan Henderson and Harry Kane against the run of play put them two goals to the good before the break.
Bukayo Saka, who was the only change from the win over Wales, made it three for the Three Lions early in the second half to put the result beyond any doubt, but it was far from a cakewalk for the 2018 semi-finalists, who have been rewarded with a last-eight clash against reigning champions France.
While Senegal caused England plenty of issues with their aggressive pressing from the off, the Three Lions did not make life easy for themselves with a myriad of misplaced passes.
Harry Maguire and John Stones were the main culprits, and the former's 23rd-minute pass was intercepted by Krepin Diatta, whose cross found Boulaye Dia after the Salernitana striker got across Stones.
The Manchester City centre-back did enough to put Dia off, but the ball then fell kindly for Watford's Ismaila Sarr, who could only blaze an effort over the bar from a couple of yards out.
Fruitless calls for a penalty on Stones's handball did not bear fruit, and England were handed another massive let off in the 32nd minute, as Jordan Pickford stuck out a strong right hand to keep out Dia after Saka gave the ball away.
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The Three Lions' build-up play was slow for the most part, but a quick surge up the field paid dividends in the 38th minute, as Bellingham cut back for Henderson to slot home after being played through by Kane, who was dropping deep as ever.
Kane was presented with a chance to double England's tally just three minutes later but fired over from Saka's cutback, although he would finally score his first goal of the 2022 World Cup just before the half-time whistle blew.
Once again, the effervescent Bellingham was central to England's build-up, driving forward and finding the run of Foden, who laid off Kane to take a touch and fire home past Edouard Mendy for his 52nd Three Lions goal - taking him to within one of equalling Wayne Rooney's all-time record of 53.
Within just 12 minutes of the second half, England had the ball in the back of the net for a third time, as Phil Foden skipped past a challenge on the left before picking out Saka in the centre, and the Arsenal man lifted the ball over Mendy for his third World Cup goal.
While the rapturous Senegal fans were still in full voice, Aliou Cisse's players were comfortably second best in the second half and seemed devoid of belief as England knocked the ball around with ease.
Tottenham Hotspur's Pape Sarr had a brief sight of goal from a free kick in the 74th minute, but his strike only found the side netting, and England were untroubled in the dying embers en route to the next round.
Southgate's side now have five days to recuperate before locking horns with France, who overcame Poland 3-1 in their last-16 battle, at the Al Bayt Stadium next Saturday.
Ben Knapton
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