It was as well for England that they had in Wales such neighbourly opposition this night, the sort that would do anything for you.
“You’re going home in the morning,” chanted the mostly mannerly English fans. They could have added: “And we’ll see you for Christmas lunch.”
Marcus Rashford celebrates the second goal of his double against Wales.Credit:AP
England, though, are not going anywhere. Three-nil winners this night, they’ve scored a tournament-high nine goals. England as barnstormers; who would have thought? Senegal are next in the round of 16, worthy opposition but not Brazil.
In the trudge of the first half, there was no forewarning of the frolic in the second. England had a welter of possession, but only one shot, when Jude Bellingham burst into the penalty box, but goalkeeper Danny Ward was out quickly to block.
Wales did not even get the ball into the England penalty area under their own propulsion, but almost had the last half-laugh when Joe Allen’s opportunistic shot sailed narrowly wide.
But all-time Welsh great Gareth Bale was again a negligible presence in the first half and not present at all in the second; he was subbed off at the break. He re-emerged for the felicitations at the final whistle, but evidently in unhappy frame of mind. A Welsh official shooed a camera crew away from him.
Gareth Bale again failed to stamp his authority for Wales and was subbed off at half-time.Credit:Getty
Made aware at half-time that the US were leading Iran 1-0 — as it remained at full-time, meaning the Americans will open the round of 16 against the Netherlands — England were energised when resuming. As is so often the case, the game was played in a wholly different key.
Phil Foden’s penetrating run drew a foul on the edge of the box and Marcus Rashford curled a deft free kick home. A minute later, Rashford stripped Ben Davies and Harry Kane’s slithering cross was tapped in by Foden.
There was a third goal for England and a second for Rashford when he sprinted down the right wing, cut inside and his shot squirmed under goalkeeper Ward’s legs.
Manager Gareth Southgate had already drawn a line under this match and begun preparing for the next, rolling through a full roster of substitutes. They also played havoc with the Welsh. England’s reinforcements run deep.
An ecstatic Jordan Henderson salutes the English fans.Credit:Getty
With nothing to lose, Wales also threw off the shackles. But the difference in class was insurmountable and a couple of long-range shots was as good as it got. For all the Socceroos’ fighting words, this might prove their undoing against Denmark on Wednesday night.
Apart from a brief Welsh flurry after England’s first two goals, Three Lions goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was not exercised. Hopefully, he was allowed to drive the bus home; it would have given him something to do.
England-Wales is an international with all the characteristics of a derby. Rather than sworn enemies, they are sworn friends, in fact sworn fellow subjects. The way to the throne the King of England is through the principality of Wales (spoiling the fun, “principality” was formally amended to “country” 10 years ago).
When the English fans sung God Save The King, the meant the king of both. By weight of numbers, the English sang their anthem louder but the Welsh sang theirs better.
Wales are heading home after ending their campaign without a win.Credit:Getty
England and Wales more usually than not compete on the international stage as teammates rather than opponents. They’re arm-in-arm at the Olympics, in the Ashes, as the British and Irish Lions.
Each country is comfortable enough in their brotherhood to swap taunts knowing that only statutory offence will be taken. A conspicuous feature of this World Cup has been a lack of English louts, which may or may not be related to another equally conspicuous feature: absence of beer sales at the stadiums.
It is not unusual for countries to meet for the first time at the World Cup. England and Wales meet as often as a book club. They have played 104 times. The first was at Kennington Oval in 1879 on a day so icy the captains agreed to 30-minute halves. (Wales might also have petitioned to play reduced minutes this night).
They first met in a World Cup qualifier in 1949, but had not met previously at the World Cup finals, which is not so surprising as this is only Wales’ second appearance. It has not been fruitful; they exit with one point and one goal — Bale’s penalty against the US.
The ledger is as lopsided as scale might suggest: England 69 wins, Wales 14. Wales have not won since 1984. Wales must have known this night was coming. In a touching final bow, they formed a line while the Welsh crowd sang to them.
