The first half unfurled without much action or engagement — a free kick here, a defensive lapse there. England seemed hesitant, tentative. Senegal seemed content to absorb the feeble pressure and then counterattack, which it did, though without success.
In the half’s fading minutes, England snatched the lead, and then extended it, with both of its shots on target pulsing the back of the Senegal net. Harry Kane, the superlative striker, factored in both of the goals that put England ahead by 2-0. Now, 45 minutes separates it from another World Cup quarterfinal appearance.
After a sagging opening to the match, it was Kane’s pass to Jude Bellingham that sparked a buildup that finished with Jordan Henderson calmly redirecting the pass into the net.