Harry Kane scored his first goal at the tournament finals as England comfortably beat Senegal to advance to the World Cup quarter-finals.
Gareth Southgate’s side were able to show their quality as they breezed past the African Cup of Nations holders.
Kane became England’s top scorer ever at major tournaments after Jordan Henderson broke the deadlock, with Saka superbly wrapping up a satisfying 3-0 victory against Senegal in Sunday’s last-16 clash at Al Bayt Stadium.
The reward is a return to Al Khor for a crunch clash against France next Saturday as last year’s European Championship runners-up take on the World Cup holders.
Southgate’s side will need to take their performance up a level given some of the problems Africa Cup of Nations winners Senegal were able to cause in a first half that ended with a quickfire England double.
Henderson was the unlikely man to open the scoring when coolly directing in the cutback from Jude Bellingham, who played a key role as England also scored with the final kick of the first half.
The 19-year-old led a brilliant breakaway that ended with Phil Foden playing on to 2018 Golden Boot winner Kane, who slammed home his first goal in Qatar to become the side’s eighth different goalscorer.
That strike also left the prolific Tottenham striker on 52 England goals, one behind the all-time record set by Wayne Rooney.
Saka then joined Marcus Rashford – the man he replaced in the starting line-up on Sunday – on three goals at this World Cup and ended the contest when he delicately clipped the ball over Edouard Mendy early in the second half.
England were in cruise control from that point and Southgate rang the changes with progress assured to consecutive World Cup quarter-finals – something the national team last managed in 2002 and 2006.
Southgate had earlier lost the services of Raheem Sterling, who was absent from the last-16 clash due to a family matter on Sunday, while Senegal head coach Aliou Cisse overcame illness to take his place on the touchline.
Senegal’s superb support backed their team with relentless, rhythmic drumming in Al Khor, where England began with patience and composure.
Mendy flapped at a Bellingham cross before Kane fizzed over another ball from the left that Saka could not reach, with John Stones bundling off target.
Senegal settled and were proving an increasing threat, going agonisingly close in the 22nd minute.
Harry Maguire’s pass out was picked off by Krepin Diatta, who sent…
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