Istafa Ali
Rashford and Foden, who were reinstated by England manager Gareth Southgate, made crucial contributions that helped his team win Group B.
At the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Doha, Foden demonstrated why there has been such a push for him to get the start by winning the free-kick that Rashford converted to break the score early in the second half.
The one-sided “Battle of Britain” was basically over when Foden doubled England’s lead a few seconds later. Rashford then scored twice to ensure that Wales’ first World Cup since 1958 was a failure.
England only won once with Foden and Rashford providing the cutting edge that was missing in their previous game, a sombre goalless draw against the United States.
The Three Lions still have space for improvement as they pursue their first major prize since the World Cup in 1966, as evidenced by a sputtering first half.
But their brutal destruction of Wales following the break gave them hope going into Sunday’s match against Group A’s runners-up Senegal.
Wales has never been shy about how much they love pulling one over on their loathed neighbours, while England fans view Germany and Scotland as their biggest opponents.
Welsh striker Kieffer Moore recently declared he would love to knock the English out of the World Cup. The Wales team was famously caught on camera celebrating England’s humiliating Euro 2016 defeat against Iceland.
Condemning Wales to elimination was a welcome bonus for England in light of those slights.
The first goal for England came from a free kick that Foden won in the 50th minute, which Rashford expertly curled into the far corner of Ward’s goal from 25 yards out.
With increased pressure, England pounced again 60 seconds later when Rashford forced Wales to give up the ball and Kane’s low cross found Foden, who buried the ball at the far post.
Moore made a valiant effort to save Wales with a dipping shot that Jordan Pickford successfully stopped, but Rashford struck the decisive blow with his third goal of the competition in the 68th minute.
Rashford was sent scampering down the right flank by a long pass from Kalvin Phillips. As the defence of Wales backed off, the Manchester United forward cut inside and fired a low shot.
