World Cup Agent Match Report: Three Lions roar as Welsh dragon is slain

England beat Wales at the World Cup in Qatar this week, confirming the team’s progression to the next round while their Welsh neighbours booked a flight home.

Peter Alan, director of Connells-brand Peter Alan looks back on his country’s first appearance at the football tournament in more than 60 years below while Miles & Barr’s Rob Sabin and Stuart Robinson of Zoom Estate Agents reflect on England ‘s victory and ponder the nation’s World Cup chances.

‘I felt like a kid again’

Michael Edwards, director, Peter Alan

The long-awaited international derby between Wales and England on a World Cup stage finally came and it was England claiming the victory and top spot in the group stage.

For the game itself, the first half was a close, largely uneventful affair. England were the dominant side in terms of possession, but there was little for either team to shout about. 

The second half however, was very different. England continued to dominate possession overall and with two moments of class, England were two up within two minutes - Rashford’s free kick and Foden’s tap in from Kane’s whipped cross. Wales, did then make some inroads themselves and with a little more composure in the final third, they could have made it interesting. 

However, Rashford again made it three on 63 minutes making contest well and truly over. England rode out the game to top the group, as expected. Wales’ hopes of at least coming 2nd had evaporated.

For England, their World Cup continues with their next game against Senegal in the Round of 16.

For Wales, it ended our World Cup experience with some disappointment, but also immense pride that, at long last, despite a couple of Euros, including the unforgettable 2016 competition in France, we finally reached a global stage.

Could we have done better? Perhaps. But I am happy to applaud the squad and key players that got us there in the first place. What they have achieved should lay the foundations for the next generation to go on and consistently emulate this degree of success that we have seen over the past 10 years.

I believe it will. I already see young boys and girls wearing a Welsh shirt kicking the ball out in a street or in training for their local team. This squad of players have been instrumental in that happening. Maybe the next Bale or Ramsey is currently using ‘jumpers for goalposts’ in the park behind my house?

They ended a 64-year hoo-doo, a ‘monkey off their back’. To have seen the Welsh flag flying at a World Cup, to see Wales on a World Cup wall chart, in a sticker album ended years of frustration and disappointment for more than a generation and gave those fans a chance to go experience the competition themselves and soak in the atmosphere. 

To us at home, it got us excited to see our team play and support from the sofa, office or bar, regardless of the outcome.

The smallest nation to qualify, expectations were never too high. Perhaps just as well, but we finally got there and it leaves us hungry for more. 

Qualifying for three major tournaments in four is a huge achievement to a nation the size of Wales, but if you are 10 years old, like my son, it’s kind of become normal.

 To a 48-year-old, like me, it made me feel like a kid again who had been desperate to see his nation play in this competition.
 

So in closing from me, thank you Wales. For the experience, the excitement, the turmoil of being a football fan and the pride of seeing that Welsh Dragon at World Cup. You did us proud. ‘Yma O Hyd’. Good luck to England and no doubt endless renditions of ‘It’s Coming Home’, fly the flag for Britain.

‘An important game for local rivalry’

Rob Sabin, sales director, Miles & Barr

Ever since the group was first announced, the England vs Wales game was highlighted as being one of the most anticipated and important games of the group stages. This meant more to the fans, it was a friendly but competitive home nation rivalry.

Wales needed a win to give them even a glimmer of hope to stay in the tournament, alongside a favourable result in the other group game between Iran and the USA. England however, had to avoid a 4-0 loss to secure their place in the knockout stages.

England boss Gareth Southgate had received mass criticism for leaving out Phil Foden in the previous fixture against the USA and chose to respond to this by adding him into the starting line-up alongside Marcus Rashford, who also started for the first time in the tournament so far.

Wales kept England quiet throughout the first half, with Danny Ward making a superb save against Rashford in a 1v1 during the early stages of the game, but never really threatened to produce the upset required.

With the second half getting underway, and the score still at a nail-biting 0-0, it was evident that Foden was reluctant to let his chance in the team go to waste. The Manchester City forward won a free kick, which was expertly converted by his Manchester counterpart, Rashford (50). Foden then went out to double the agony for Wales as he tucked in at the back post moments later (51).

Now 2-0 up, England looked on course for a comfortable win in the first all-British World Cup finals clash, but they weren’t done there. Rashford’s fine form continued as he netted his second and England’s third of the game (68). A blistering shot proved to be too powerful for Ward to keep out as it snuck in through the legs of the Welsh keeper.
 
England’s win showed Wales the door as they failed to progress from the group stages.

Though disappointment will certainly be felt amongst many of the Welsh, a sense of pride is sure to be present with this being their first World Cup tournament since 1958. Hopefully, we will see Wales again in the 2026 World Cup.

As for England, the win solidified their position as group B winner and sets the nation up for a match against the strong Senegal side who placed second in group A. 

Only time will tell who comes out on top to progress to the glorified quarter finals.

Southgate has a nice selection dilemma for Sunday

Stuart Robinson, director, Zoom Estate Agents

Well… that’s more like it! The second half at least. England progress through to the last 16 and top the group in doing so. 

Nine goals scored, only two conceded and now a tie to look forward to against Senegal, who progressed by beating Ecuador and finishing second in their group.

Little to write about in the first half, Marcus Rashford spurning the biggest chance after being one-on-one with Danny Ward, the keeper made himself big, making an important save. 
Other than that, England produced a conservative display, knowing Wales needed to win to have any chance of progressing. Wales however, offered very little going forward, creating no real chances.

After what was another dull first half performance filled with half chances, Marcus Rashford smashed in a bullet of a free kick into the top corner leaving a wrongfooted Danny Ward no chance. 

The thunderous strike seemed to have awoken the rest of the England team who then pressed for a second. It wasn’t long before that second goal, 98 seconds in fact.

You have to credit Gareth Southgate for the tactical decision to swap Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden. Both goalscorers looked more alive and definitely a threat.

Again, some great work from Marcus Rashford to win the ball, before Harry Kane bagged his third assist of the tournament with a brilliant cross across the box that left Phil Foden with a tap in. Rashford carried on his man of the match performance by latching onto a Kalvin Phillips through ball, cutting inside of Connor Roberts before firing a shot through the legs of Danny Ward.

Rob Page’s Wales needed a strong, thrilling and inspirational performance to mount a seemingly impossible comeback but that wasn’t to be the case. Jordan Pickford was a spectator throughout most of the match which left England with another clean sheet to build on.

Their first World Cup since 1958 perhaps didn’t live up to their own expectations but Wales can look ahead to qualification for Euro 2024. Will Gareth Bale be captaining the team? He seems to think so!

For England, it’s good to see the variety of goal scorers within the squad. Remember, Harry Kane is yet to score, if England get him firing, that’ll be a major boost. 
His overall play has been positive, providing a few decisive assists. Southgate now has a dilemma, a good one at that. 

Who starts against Senegal? Marcus Rashford is joint top goalscorer at the tournament with the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Cody Gakpo, Bukayo Saka still has two goals to his name, Foden seems to have the nation wanting him to start and that’s without mentioning the likes of Grealish, Mount and Sterling.

One name that has to be the first name on the team sheet is Jude Bellingham. 

Playing slightly more advanced against Wales, he was simply sensational. A mature performance that you would expect from a veteran of the game infused with the hunger, desire and passion of an up and coming prodigy. Another fantastic display from Jude has to ensure his place in the starting line-up.

Who partners him? We know Declan Rice will most likely start as the protector of the back four. But that leaves space for Jordan Henderson, Kalvin Phillips or a return for Mason Mount. Selection dilemmas for Southgate ahead of a matchup with Senegal at the Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday 4 December at 7pm.

Will the nation be going to work on Monday morning delighted with a quarter final to look forward to? Or will Senegal upset England in what has been an impressive run from them so far?

Let’s wait and see! Come on England!