“Anyone but England” was the motto in Wales: everything but England. This time, however, the slogan was not intended to be a provocation towards the country’s only neighbor, as one might assume in view of the rivalry. But it was the desire not to have to play against the “Three Lions” again at this World Cup. Wales had waited 64 years for their second World Cup appearance. The country wanted to take the opportunity to make new friends. Instead, you ended up in a preliminary group with the seemingly overpowering England, analogous to the first EM participation in 2016 – and thus automatically again in its great shadow.
As if this circumstance wasn’t unfortunate enough, on Tuesday evening it was precisely those unloved Englishmen who were responsible for sealing their own tournament. With a clear 3:0 – created by a double strike from Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden at the beginning of the second half and another Rashford goal in the 68th minute – the co-favorites confidently secured first place in the table. England now face Senegal in the round of 16, while the Welsh side are bottom of their group without a win.
To avert early failure after just one point from two games, Wales would have had to win the game: either by four goals or by a draw between Iran and the USA. Gareth Bale, the record player and goalscorer in his country with 41 goals in 111 matches, would have been most likely to be expected to make such an appearance. Once in his career, Bale, 33, even managed a four-pack seven years ago for his then club Real Madrid. By the half-time break at the latest, the mind game had become superfluous – because Bale obviously had to be replaced injured.
Wales patiently awaited their chance to win – which never came
In what will probably be his last appearance at the World Cup, Wales coach Rob Page called him into the starting XI along with his long-time companions Aaron Ramsey, 31, and Joe Allen, 32, although they are all far from their best form at the moment. Presumably behind her consideration was the gratitude for her services to the team. A selection developed around them over the years that little Wales could always be quite proud of. Only in football and rugby does the country compete separately from Great Britain under its own flag. Page seemed keen to live up to that responsibility by adopting a bolder approach than before against England – with two attackers and exceptionally skilled Bale as backup on the right of attack.
Despite the personnel shift, there was little that could be done for Wales – neither on the field nor in the stands. Here, as there, the English set the tone at will. The match degenerated into a better training session at times, with coach Gareth Southgate giving substitutes Foden and Rashford a try in the starting XI: with resounding success. Up until their goals, Wales had waited patiently for their chance to win – but it never came.