Marcus Rashford has just shown Gareth Southgate made a mistake in England’s World Cup knockout games

Add as preferred source on Google

World Cup knockout stages are high stakes ‘win or bust’ and England found out there are fine lines between success and elimination.

The Three Lions were beaten 2-1 by France in the quarter-finals, with Harry Kane blazing a late penalty over the bar.

Marcus Rashford came close to rescuing the Three Lions, with his late free-kick just off target. It would not have been a surprise to see the ball hit the back of the net.

Rashford is a player in form, as he showed for Manchester United last night. Gareth Southgate did not use him optimally.

He ended the tournament as England’s top goalscorer with three goals, however, these were all netted in the knockout stages.

Gareth Southgate then dropped him back to the bench. He got away with this against Senegal, not against France.

Rashford was brought on as a 85th minute substitute with England trailing 2-1. It was barely enough time to get a kick.

The Manchester United star showed last night that he is capable of magic, taking a 50-yard run at goal and firing it into the bottom corner against Burnley.

He now has nine goals and three assists this season for Manchester United, in addition to the three he scored at the World Cup.

Rashford was the country’s form player, and Southgate gave him just five minutes plus stoppage time. Even with the wealth of options he had available, it was an inexcusable oversight.

Match of the Day host Gary Lineker last night emphasised this point, branding Rashford’s omission as ‘bemusing’.

An error Southgate can’t undo

This is an error Southgate can’t walk back and has to live with. The next World Cup is in four years, and while he is staying on until Euro 2024, there’s no guarantee he will still be in charge until 2026.

World Cup quarter-finals are rare events, and Southgate had his country’s in-form player at his disposal, choosing to snub him.

Rashford has kept a dignified silence on the situation, and is wisely letting his football do the talking.

Last night’s sensational solo goal was just the opening riposte to his quarter-final snub. Rashford could make it a lot more uncomfortable for Southgate if he continues like this.