England's goal of the tournament? Marcus Rashford scores stunning goal against Wales at World Cup 2022

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England lead Wales at World Cup 2022, through Marcus Rashford with a wonderful free-kick

Marcus Rashford of England scores their team's third goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between Wales and England at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on November 29, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.
(Image credit: Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

Marcus Rashford has just scored what could be England's best goal so far at World Cup 2022.

The striker is in red-hot form, having netted three goals in three games in Group B thus far and proving manager Gareth Southgate was right for picking him ahead of Raheem Sterling for the clash against Wales.

The second goal that Rashford scored was a peach, too, nutmegging goalkeeper Danny Ward after a lovely team move. 

After a dreadful first half in which very little of significance happened – well, aside from a strange, dashing run from Harry Maguire – Rashford opened the scoring just minutes after half-time. The Manchester United forward rifled a free-kick across goalkeeper Ward – in for the suspended Wayne Hennessey following his red card against Iran – repaying his manager’s faith for including him. 

Things went from bad to worse moments later for Wales, who lost the talismanic Gareth Bale at half-time through injury. Another player who had earned a start after clamour from fans and pundits, Phil Foden managed to squeeze through the Welsh backline and meet a cross from Harry Kane, to make it 2-0. Wales were left needing to chase the game in order to even hold any hope of advancing to the next round, while England made sweeping changes to a winning team.

Southgate brought on the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kalvin Phillips, Callum Wilson and Kieran Trippier – the former two for their first minutes of the tournament. England now look set for a next round encounter against Senegal, the runners-up of Group A. 

Mark White
Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.