Main man: Marcus Rashford
(Picture: AFP via Getty Images)Gareth Southgate used his half-time well, turning despair into jubilation and revitalise England’s World Cup campaign.
A dismal first half saw England create just one real chance of note, which Marcus Rashford squandered, against a weak Wales side.
However, as fans were treated to Chesney Hawkes singing ‘The One and Only’ during the half-time show, Southgate was laying down the law to his players. And it worked.
Rashford and Phil Foden earned their first starts of the Qatar tournament and they were struggling just as Raheem Sterling, Mason Mount and Bukayo Saka did previously against the USA.
Come the second half and they were both on the scoresheet within six minutes of the restart, sparked by Foden’s dribbling winning a free-kick on the edge of the box.
Rashford stepped up and curled one across Danny Ward and inside the goalkeeper’s far post in the 49h minute. It was the first direct free kick scored by any player during the tournament.
Just one minute and 33 seconds later, Rashford returned the favour, winning back the ball through his intelligent pressing and feeding Harry Kane to fizz a no-look pass across the face of goal for Foden to do what he does week in, week out for Manchester City and slot home at the far post.
Southgate deserves credit for the reaction of his team but also for the subtle tactical switch to put Rashford on the right and Foden on the left - swapping flanks from the first half.
Soon it was 3-0 and game over, Rashford bamboozling his British rivals with a fine run and finish. He was unlucky not to get a hat-trick after being played in by substitute Callum Wilson.
Rashford overcomes the misery of his last Euro 2020 campaign, where he faced disgusting racist abuse after missing a penalty in the final shootout against Italy.
Southgate embraced the forward when he came off, who was showing off the big smile of a man who has had many a weight lifted off his shoulders.
The Three Lions have regained the trust of a frustrated fan base and it could be Rashford’s time to be ‘The One and Only’.
