The biggest sporting event in the world continues with the Group B England v Wales clash that should see plenty of passion, a large pinch of rivalry, and bragging rights in the UK.
With so many games and so little time, our Group B England v Wales Match Centre tries to sum it all up as quickly as possible before and after the game and with just a hint of cynicism. If you wanted professional and/or good you’d be on the BBC website, not here. Essentially, we watch and follow the game so you don’t have to.
With answers to the key questions prior to the match and our Minutes that Mattered summary and stats post game, it is a real Who Cares guide to the 2022 World Cup for the person on the go.
Enjoy the Group B England v Wales Match Centre.
KICKOFF – TUESDAY 29TH NOV – 22:00 (QATAR) 19:00 (UK) 06:00 (AEDT)
Group B England v Wales Match Review
England have topped Group B after harpooning a Wales side that looked like it forgot it had to win to stay in the World Cup.
Minutes that Mattered
Welcome to the briefest of match summaries, like a minute by minute you find on professional websites except one that has only the minutes that matter. All wheat, no chaff.
And if the below isn’t enough, for those in Australia you can catch up via the SBS World Cup on Demand.
1’ Min Finally England pick a decent starting line-up, or at least one that looks like it wants to win, unlike the game v USA. There’s enough youth and speed in Bellingham and Foden to make up for Jordan Henderson’s experience.
9’ Min First decent chance for either side. Harry Kane puts a nice ball through for Marcus Rashford who has just the Wales keeper Ward to beat, which he doesn’t. Credit to Ward for the save.
14’ Min England handed a free kick in a good position for a cross into the box, which Luke Shaw delivered but is cleared by the Wales defence as far as Phil Foden who has a crack from distance but misses to the right. Apart from the two above chances, there’s not much happening. Wales even less so, and they need to win.
17’ Min Another free kick but this one is much closer to the goal, and as such the England players are taking an eternity to kick it into the wall. Sorry, that was cynical. But the kick did go to the back post with a similar outcome for England.
23’ Min Marcus Rashford unleashes a powerful shot towards goal from outside the box, and sadly for Neco Williams his head beat the keeper to the stop and the Wales defender is instantly floored.
28’ Min The tackles are getting harder and more physical, which leads to Dan James getting the first Yellow card of the game.
34’ Min Neco Williams, who is likely still suffering from taking a speeding football to the face, is replaced by Connor Roberts.
37’ Min Phil Foden has a shot under heavy traffic in the penalty area, and while he didn’t score he is at least showing what the English missed against the USA. Rashford tries a “Richarlison’ a minute later to lesser success than the Brazilian. It was a close shave though, pardon the pun.
45’ Min Five minutes of added time, which is surprisingly low given this World Cup so far and the time lost to the Neco Williams injury check.
45’+5 Min England and Wales have one crack at each other during the added time. England waste another corner, and Wales’ Joe Allen tries a long shot and gets what he deserved.
With a goal to the USA in the other match, this puts even less pressure on England to win. This could be a dull affair in the second half then.
HALF TIME – ENGLAND 0 WALES 0
46’ Min Gareth Bale has been subbed off at half time. Is this a sign Wales truly don’t want to win? Or is Bale standing in the way of them playing like they want to win. Not sure. Send your replies to our mailbox.
50’ Min – GOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLL FOR ENGLAND
Marcus Rashford nails a free kick on the edge of the Wales box on the left to the right side of the goal. Wales keeper Ward is not even close. Neco Williams can tell you how hard Rashford can kick a ball. The free kick set up by a charging Phil Foden who is getting hard to handle.
ENGLAND 1 WALES 0
52’ Min – GOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLL FOR ENGLAND
England dispossess the Wales defence deep in their own half, Harry Kane crosses the ball in the penalty area and on the back post is Phil Foden to tap it in. England have two quick goals and will qualify on top of Group B, while Wales are done.
ENGLAND 2 WALES 0
57’ Min Gareth Southgate has officially declared his first innings as he takes off Harry Kane, Declan Rice and Kyle Walker for a trio of players who need more game time – Callum Wilson, Kalvin Phillips and TAA.
65’ Min Well this is going to get dull now isn’t it? Wales need six goals now to take a knockout place, and based on what’s on offer this game they will need a week and a wider goal to achieve that. England are letting the squad members play which spoils the momentum they had.
67’ Min – GOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLL FOR ENGLAND
Marcus Rashford receives a long ball down Wales’ right, and he jinks left in the penalty box, teases a few Wales defenders and shoots at the Wales keeper who does a pretty ordinary job of stopping the ball and into the net it goes.
ENGLAND 3 WALES 0
75’ Min Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham blow chances in the one move to make it 4-0.
90’ Min England had a few chances to increase their lead until the end but in ended up usually in a blur of players in the penalty box and a wide shot or two. England did enough to progress to the knockout, which increase the amount of hype in the UK about the trophy coming home, and the level of cynical jokes from non-English friends of English people about an exit on penalty shootouts.
Final Score
ENGLAND 3
Marcus Rashford 50′ Phil Foden 52′ Marcus Rashford 67′
WALES 0
HT 0-0
Player of the Match
Phil Foden or Marcus Rashford
Group B England v Wales Match Stats
Group B England v Wales Starting Teams
WALES (4-2-3-1)
12 Ward
3 N Williams
5 Mepham
6 Rodon
4 Davies
7 Allen
15 Ampadu
11 Bale
10 Ramsey
20 James
13 Moore
ENGLAND (4-3-3)
1 Pickford
2 Walker
5 Stones
6 Maguire
3 Shaw
8 Henderson
4 Rice
22 Bellingham
20 Foden
9 Kane
11 Rashford
Group B England v Wales Match Preview
Why should you care?
Because any home nations clash involving England are always interesting. And let’s face it, any game involving England v anyone will always attract plenty of attention.
England were plenty disappointing against the USA in their 0-0 draw, we guess higher standards were applied after such a big win in their first match.
Wales could be a tricky opponent, as they were able to keep USA to a draw in their first match, and USA were able to keep England scoreless last time out.
Who should you care about?
Gareth Bale is the big name for this match. If he fires England could be in trouble of wasting their 6-2 first up win. He has only played well on and off, but may been saving himself a little, waiting for this game.
For England we say Phil Foden. It is about time he started and took control of a game. Who knows with Harry Kane whether he is fit or not. So why not play Foden now.
Full 2022 World Cup Squads & Stats
Is there a barely interesting fact?
England have won six in a row v Wales.
Wales have yet to win a Group Stage game at a World Cup.
Who will win?
England 2 Wales 1
Full 2022 World Cup Predictions
How Does the Group Stand?
Team/Played/Points/For/Against/GoalDifference
| England | 2 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 4 |
| Iran | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | -2 |
| USA | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Wales | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 |
Group B England v Wales Match Review
Minutes that Mattered
Welcome to the briefest of match summaries, like a minute by minute except one that has only the minutes that matter.
Stay tuned after the match.
Group B England v Wales Match Stats
Coming after the match.
