Harry Maguire now has three clean sheets in a row for England at the World Cup, after a last 16 victory over Senegal.
Maguire helped England’s defence stand firm against the African champions, winning 3-0.
This followed up shutouts in games against USA and Wales, with England only conceding goals in the 6-2 win over Iran.
He stood firm against Senegal, winning six duels out of nine which he contested during the 90 minutes.
Maguire had 86 touches in total, making one block, four clearances, and one interception.
England dominated the game with 61 per cent of possession, with Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka scoring the goals.
Maguire, 29, has been a rock at the back for England, shaking off a disappointing club season so far. But now a decisive test is coming his way.
Kylian Mbappe awaits
England face their biggest test of the tournament in the quarter-finals against current World Cup holders France.
Saturday’s fixture will see Maguire tasked with attempting to stop Kylian Mbappe, the tournament’s current leading scorer goalscorer, with five strikes to his name so far.
Mbappe is averaging a goal every 59 minutes in the tournament, and England’s entire backline will have to work in unison to attempt to stop him.
But of all of England’s defenders, it is Maguire who has been most closely scrutinised, and he should be the biggest winner if the Three Lions win and keep Mbappe quiet.
Clearly this won’t be easy. Maguire will have to have the game of his life to stop Mbappe. If he does, he might just change a lot of people’s minds about him.
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