England makes it 3-0 in the second half against Senegal

In a match that ended in heartbreak for an underdog Senegal squad, the Lions of Teranga played with unwavering support from a dedicated group of their fans.

They danced to the beat of their own rhythmic music from kickoff to final whistle. Their percussion and wind instruments transported us thousands of miles away to West Africa, and every time I looked up, their fans were swaying back and forth in joyful unison.

It caught the eye of the broadcast, too, with TV commentators remarking with admiration on the fans’ spirit — even in a tournament known for its crowd-led chants and songs.

The Senegal supporters never stopped, not even when England scored and captain Harry Kane was celebrating directly in front of them.

Senegal can clearly count on their fans’ wonderful support in international play to come, even as their 2022 World Cup dreams end Sunday evening in Qatar.

The Three Lions triumphed over the Lions of Teranga in our second knockout round match of the day.

In the first half, late goals from Jordan Henderson in the 39th minute and Harry Kane in stoppage time gave England a 2-0 lead going into halftime. The Senegalese were reeling going into the break. And things didn’t get better when play resumed.

Twelve minutes into the second period, Bukayo Saka made it 3-0 England. It is the third goal of the tournament for the young forward.

England’s victory sets up a clash of the titans in the next round. They will face France in the quarterfinals next Saturday. 

Earlier in the day, Les Bleus easily dispatched Poland, 3-1. Kylian Mbappé scored twice for the French to take the lead in the tournament’s Golden Boot race (five goals).

On Friday, Argentina plays the Netherlands in the other quarterfinals match that was set this weekend.

World Cup action resumes tomorrow with more Round of 16 matches. Japan faces Croatia at 10 a.m. ET. Then Brazil plays South Korea at 2 p.m. ET.

England’s Bukayo Saka gets a goal to put his side up 3-0.

That’s already the third goal of this tournament for the young forward, who plays for Arsenal.

The Three Lions appear to be pulling away.

The second half is underway in England and Senegal’s knockout round match.

England leads 2-0, thanks to goals from Jordan Henderson and Harry Kane.

England leads Senegal 2-0 after the first 45 minutes.

For much of the half, it was the Lions of Teranga who looked more dangerous.

Twenty minutes into the match, Senegal’s Ismailia Sarr got a great look at the goal but his shot sailed over.

Ten minutes later, an errant clearance by England’s defense led to another chance at the edge of the 6-yard box for Boulaye Dia. But England goalie Jordan Pickford made a huge save with his left arm to keep it even at nil-nil.

Then, in the 39th minute, Jude Bellingham squared a pass to Jordan Henderson in the box. Henderson deposited the ball in the back of the net.

Senegal desperately needed to get to halftime down just one goal. But Harry Kane had other ideas.

The England captain scored in first-half stoppage time to give the Three Lions a 2-0 lead at the half.

The winner of this match faces France next Saturday in the quarterfinals.

Earlier today, France defeated Poland, 3-1, in a match that featured two goals from French superstar Kylian Mbappé.

Senegal desperately needed to get to halftime down just one goal. But Harry Kane had other ideas.

The England captain scored in stoppage time just before the half, giving the Three Lions a 2-0 lead.

England midfielder Jordan Henderson scored in the 39th minute to put his squad up 1-0 against Senegal.

At 32 years old, the tenured Henderson scored his first World Cup goal and only his third in 73 appearances for the national team. It came via collaboration with another English midfield man: a pass from the teenage Jude Bellingham.

The goal brings a sense of shifting momentum after Senegal seemed to have the favored English squad temporarily on the back foot.

The Senegal coach, 46-year-old Aliou Cisse, can be seen walking the sideline and directing his players as usual — but that seemed in doubt earlier this week after the team said he was dealing with an illness.

“He (Cisse) has been sick for a couple of days now and he let us take charge of training yesterday obviously with his instructions,” assistant manager Regis Bogaert told reporters earlier this week.

But Cisse is present on the pitch as usual.

That’s a boost for his squad, especially given his uniquely fitting experience: Cisse played for Senegal in its victory over Sweden at the 2002 World Cup to reach the quarterfinals.

African nations have lost eight of their nine World Cup knockout round games against European sides, with that victory over Sweden as the lone exception.

Cisse will look to repeat history, this time as a manager.