Marcus Rashford inspired England to the victory required to top Group B and ensure it was despair for Wales as they exited the tournament after a bitterly disappointing World Cup campaign.
Wales either had to beat England and hope Iran and USA finished in a draw or chase the most unlikely result of a four-goal margin of victory at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.
England, who now face Senegal in the round of 16, ensured no storyline was ever a serious consideration as they dominated throughout and took full control after an uneventful opening 45 minutes.
Wales manager Rob Page made the bold move to replace Gareth Bale at half-time, despite the tall talisman having had just seven touches in an anonymous display, but all hope the tactic of shock would work was wiped out as England scored twice within six minutes of the restart.
Marcus Rashford fired a free-kick past Danny Ward after Ethan Ampadu fouled Phil Foden after 50 minutes, with the Manchester City midfielder then scoring his return to the England squad moments later by turning the cross of Harry Kane at the far post.
Wales were demoralized and outclassed as they knew they were returning from Qatar and Rashford added their second in the 68th minute, with a big assist from Welsh goalkeeper Ward allowing a ferocious shot to slip through his legs .
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Notation range key = Give up = Sheer Perfection
Alignments
Wales
Training 4-2-3-1
- 12Hall
- 3N WilliamsReplaced byRobertat 36′minutes
- 5Mepham
- 6Rodon
- 4DaviesReplaced byMorellat 59′minutes
- sevenAllenReplaced byColwillat 81′minutes
- 15Ampadu
- 11BallReplaced byJohnsonat 45′minutes
- tenRamseyBooked at 61 mins
- 20jamesBooked at 29 minsReplaced byWilsonat 77′minutes
- 13Moore
Substitutes
- 2Gunter
- 8Wilson
- 9Johnson
- 14Robert
- 16Morell
- 17Lockyer
- 18williams
- 19Mr. Harris
- 21Davies
- 22Thomas
- 23Levitt
- 24Cabango
- 25Colwill
- 26Black-smith
England
Training 4-3-3
- 1Pickford
- 2WalkerReplaced byAlexandre-Arnoldat 57′minutes
- 5Rocks
- 6Maguire
- 3ShawReplaced byTripperat 65′minutes
- 8Henderson
- 4RiceReplaced byPhillipsat 58′minutes
- 22bellingham
- 20Foden
- 9KaneReplaced byWilsonat 57′minutes
- 11RashfordReplaced byGrealishat 76′minutes
Substitutes
- sevenGrealish
- tenSterling
- 12Tripper
- 13Pope
- 14Phillips
- 15say
- 16Coody
- 17saka
- 18Alexandre-Arnold
- 19To go up
- 23Ramsdale
- 24Wilson
- 25Maddison
- 26Gallagher
- Arbitrator:
- Slavko Vincic
- Presence:
- 44,297
Live Text
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Match ends, Wales 0, England 3.
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Second Half ends, Wales 0, England 3.
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Attempt blocked. Phil Foden (England) left footed shot from the center of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jack Grealish.
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Callum Wilson (England) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Chris Mepham (Wales).
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John Stones (England) hits the crossbar left footed from the center of the box after a corner kick.
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Corner, England. Corner conceded by Connor Roberts.
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Jack Grealish (England) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Ethan Ampadu (Wales).
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John Stones (England) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Kieffer Moore (Wales).
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Jack Grealish (England) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Ethan Ampadu (Wales).
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Callum Wilson (England) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Chris Mepham (Wales).
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Failed attempt. Kieffer Moore (Wales) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Past assisted by Ethan Ampadu.
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Failed attempt. Rubin Colwill (Wales) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.
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Attempt blocked. Harry Wilson (Wales) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Foul by Harry Maguire (England).
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Kieffer Moore (Wales) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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