England to name Phil Foden, Kyle Walker, Marcus Rashford in line-up to face Wales in final World Cup group game | Football News
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Phil Foden will probably be handed his first begin of the World Cup alongside Kyle Walker, Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson in a refreshed England line-up to face Wales.
Having caught with the identical beginning XI in his first two video games, Gareth Southgate is now anticipated to ring the adjustments on the again of England’s below-par draw with the USA on Friday, with qualification for the final 16 nonetheless not assured.
Foden’s absence throughout that stalemate was criticised by the media, however the Manchester City man will now get his likelihood from kick-off in opposition to Wales in Al-Rayyan.
Walker arrived on the World Cup nonetheless recovering from a groin harm which dominated him out of the final few weeks of Manchester City’s home season forward of the event.
He was solely deemed match sufficient for a spot on the bench in England’s first two video games, and can play his first minutes since October 2 in opposition to Wales.
Henderson was launched from the bench in opposition to the USA to exchange Jude Bellingham and was initially anticipated to exchange the Borussia Dortmund midfielder on Tuesday, but it surely now seems each gamers will begin in a midfield three.
Rashford was one other second-half arrival in that draw, having already come on to rating in the opening win over Iran. His beginning berth will mark a robust comeback for the Manchester United man, who had not made a single look for his nation for the reason that Euro 2020 final earlier than the beginning of the event.
Those 4 are anticipated to be all of England’s adjustments, which means captain Harry Kane will retain his place regardless of questions over his health and type in opposition to the USA. The reigning Golden Boot holder is but to discover the again of the online in Qatar.
Analysis: Bold transfer from Southgate and signal of intent
Sky Sports News’ Rob Dorsett in Qatar:
“It’s a bold move from Gareth Southgate – four changes, he doesn’t often make that many. It’s a positive reaction to what was a pretty lacklustre display against the USA, and a positive statement that England want to go and win this game.
“Gary Neville, amongst others, has been calling for Foden to begin, calling him a generational expertise and saying he does not know why he is been ignored.
“Gareth Southgate said this week he has no problem with Foden and thinks he’s a fantastic player who he has predicted to have a big part to play in the tournament – something he’ll have the chance to do tonight.
“That can even apply to Marcus Rashford, who’s come off the bench in each of the opening two video games and appeared very sharp, the sort of type that has seen him rating eight targets for Manchester United already this season.
“The way Southgate is looking at this is that Foden and Rashford are both fresh and will freshen out the attacking line-up England put out. They’re both pacy, Rashford in particular with his direct running, Foden with his nouse and ability to find space between the lines and pick a pass.
“Henderson introduced some much-needed stability in midfield in opposition to the USA when he got here on, he was fairly organised in the best way he introduced issues collectively and can now get an opportunity from the beginning, which we anticipated after he attended the pre-match press convention alongside Southgate yesterday.”
How England will qualify for the spherical of 16 on Tuesday
England are at the moment prime of Group B with 4 factors after the opening two rounds of matches however Iran, Wales and USA can all nonetheless qualify.
While Wales will want to beat England on Tuesday evening to have any likelihood of progressing from the group, Gareth Southgate’s workforce will progress as group winners with victory. A draw can even be sufficient to prime the group if USA vs Iran ends in a stalemate as properly.
As lengthy as England keep away from a four-goal defeat or larger to Wales, they are going to be sure of reaching the final 16. But a defeat by Wales will depart Gareth Southgate’s facet susceptible to progressing as runners-up – and a possible last-16 tie in opposition to Netherlands.
How Wales, Iran and the USA can nonetheless qualify
A Wales win over England and an Iran-USA draw would see Wales progress – however a four-goal defeat or larger is the one state of affairs in which England don’t progress. It’s additionally potential for England to lose to Wales and nonetheless end prime of the group.
Iran are sure to undergo in the event that they keep away from defeat to the USA and Wales don’t win, whereas the USA could have to beat Iran to attain the final 16.
Head-to-head document is the third tie-breaking technique at this event, after purpose distinction after which targets scored.
As it stands: England’s potential opponents in the spherical of 16
If England have been to win Group B, their round-of-16 tie would happen at Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor, on Sunday December 4 and see them paired in opposition to the runners-up in Group A.
Were England to progress however fail to win the group, then the Group A winners can be England’s first opposition in the knockout section, with that round-of-16 tie happening on the Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan on Saturday December 3.
Netherlands at the moment prime Group A on 4 factors and face already-eliminated hosts Qatar in their final group match. Ecuador are additionally on 4 factors in second place and face Senegal, who’ve three factors, in their final group game.
But would England be higher off progressing as runners-up?
Were England to progress as group winners then they’d more than likely face world champions France in the quarter-finals on Saturday December 10, offering the 2018 World Cup winners topped their group and overcame Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico or Poland in the final 16.
But as Group B runners-up and last-16 winners, England would proceed their journey – assuming they have been to beat the Group A victors per week earlier – on the opposite facet of the draw and may very well be paired with Poland or Australia on the quarter-final stage on Friday December 9.
If England have been to navigate their approach to the semi-finals as group winners, the seemingly winners of Groups F and H – Belgium or Portugal – may stand between them and a spot in the World Cup final on December 14.
England’s journey to the World Cup semi-finals after ending second in the group levels would doubtlessly arrange a last-four tie in opposition to Spain or Brazil.
England’s potential route to the World Cup final as group winners (Last up to date: Sunday November 27 primarily based on present group tables)
Round of 16 – Sunday December 4
England vs Ecuador – Kick-off 7pm
Quarter-finals – Saturday December 10
England vs France or Argentina – Kick-off 7pm
Semi-finals – Wednesday December 14
England vs Croatia/Japan/Portugal/Switzerland
England’s potential route to the World Cup final as group runners-up (Last up to date: Sunday November 27 primarily based on present group tables)
Round of 16 – Saturday December 3
Netherlands vs England – Kick-off 3pm
Quarter-finals – Friday December 9
England vs Poland or Australia – Kick-off 7pm
Semi-finals – Tuesday December 13
England vs Spain/Morocco/Brazil/South Korea – Kick-off 7pm
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