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Wales play England in a make-or-break final group game as they look to conitue their historic run.
Wales fell to two late Iranian heartbreakers in their second group game, but a win against familiar foe England could still see them advance to the next round. The only problem is that they are habitually England’s whipping boys and have lost the last six games to their home nation.
Wales versus England Head-to-Head
Due to their close ties, England and Wales have played each other on a remarkable 102 occasions, including qualifiers for the World Cup and UEFA European Championships, as well as friendlies, the British Home Championships, and other friendly competitions.
In those 102 games, England have emerged victorious 67 times, while Wales have only won 14 times, with 21 draws played between them. England have won the last six games consecutively against Wales, and will be hoping to get another win in Qatar that will send them into the second round, and send Wales back home.
Players to watch
Wales
Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale was once the youngest player to represent the Welsh senior team at 16; now aged 33 and with more than 100 caps behind him, Bale finds himself at his first World Cup with his nation and the country’s first since their debut in 1958.
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He has already marked the occasion with a goal in the first group game, but he will now be looking to create history by becoming only the second Welshman to score two World Cup goals.
England
Harry Kane
Just like in the 2020 UEFA Championships, Harry Kane is yet to score after the opening two games, but if that competition is anything to go by, then we already know that the best of Harry Kane is in store for us.
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Kane is still chasing Wayne Rooney’s record of the most goals for England and is just two goals behind him. In England’s 6-2 victory over Iran in their opening group game, Kane provided two assists, but this time he should be getting on the scoresheet himself.
Possible line-ups
Wales are certainly going to be without No.1 goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, who got sent off in the dying minutes against Iran. In his stead will be Leicester City’s Danny Ward, who conceded twice in his 14-minute cameo against Iran.
Wales’ possible XI: Danny Ward; Chris Mepham, Joe Rondon, Ben Davies; Connor Roberts, Aaron Ramsey, Ethan Ampadu, Neco Williams; Gareth Bale, Kieffer Moore, Daniel James.
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Fans and pundits have been looking for Phil Foden with a microscope at the World Cup, but to no avail. The Manchester City star has only played 33 minutes over two games for the Three Lions, but the lacklustre performance of their offence against the United States may be the motivation Gareth Southgate needs to finally include Foden in his plans.
England's possible XI: Jordan Pickford; Kieran Trippier, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw; Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling; Harry Kane.
Predictions
Wales' qualification for the World Cup was an incredible achievement, but it appears that their participation is coming to an end, with England favourites to take all three points. It will take a monumental effort on Wales’ part to overcome England, and it’s hard to see them doing it.
A 3-1 win for England is a very likely outcome and is not one that Wales would be ashamed of.
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