FIFA 23 World Cup mode predicts England v Senegal nailbiter

fifa 23 world cup england kane rashford goal celebration

fifa 23 world cup england kane rashford goal celebration

Our England v Wales FIFA 23 simulation predicted a comfortable win for The Three Lions, but the World Cup knockout stages are a different affair altogether.

England has never faced Senegal, and their African counterparts will be buoyed by their win against Ecuador to send them through.

Even without Sadio Mane, Senegal poses a significant attacking threat, so England will need to be at the races to make it into the Quarter Finals.

Starting XI

Gareth Southgate will likely head into the game with the same starting XI that dispatched Wales so easily in the final group match.

Marcus Rashford's brace will surely see him start, although the call between Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, and Raheem Sterling is harder to make.

We have opted for Foden to start on the left as he did in the second half against Wales, with Rashford operating from the right wing.

fifa 23 world cup england squad
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THREE LIONS - Will this be the starting XI on Sunday?

The midfield remains the same, with Jordan Henderson and Declan Rice providing a solid base and allowing Jude Bellingham to drive forward.

Kyle Walker should keep his spot at right back, with a rejuvenated Luke Shaw at left back.

Arguably England's Player of the Tournament so far Harry Maguire will partner John Stones in front of Jordan Pickford in goal.

Nervy start

Understandably both teams looked nervous, struggling to retain possession for any length of time.

A misplaced pass in the Senegal defence allowed Harry Kane the first opportunity of the match, but his effort was well saved by Edouard Mendy.

fifa 23 world cup england john stones yellow card
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NAUGHTY BOY - Stones received an early yellow card

With chances at a premium, the tackles began to fly in, with Man City's John Stones the first player to enter the referee's notebook.

A couple more half chances from set-pieces came England's way, but an altogether quiet first half produced few moments of quality.

Barrage

The second half played out much like the game against Wales, with England starting fast and piling pressure onto their opponents.

Henderson, Rashford, and Kane all forced Chelsea's Mendy into saves as England turned the screw.

fifa 23 world cup kane england goal
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BACK OF THE NET - Kane broke the deadlock for England

It was captain Harry Kane who finally found the breakthrough though, lashing home from inside the box.

While Kane is yet to score in this year's World Cup, England will be relying on their main man to find the net when it counts.

Verdict

England never added to their one-goal lead, but it was a comfortable win as they prevented Senegal from posing any threat, as shown by the 0.5 xG.

fifa 23 world cup england v senegal match stats
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DOMINANT - England limited Senegal to just two shots on goal

Gareth Southgate will be disappointed at the wastefulness of the attack that had 21 shots on goal but scored just one.

A 1-0 lead is never safe no matter how comfortable you may feel, so England fans, prepare yourselves for a nervous 90 minutes!