World Cup Agent Match Report: England break the ITV c...

England progressed to the quarter finals of the World Cup last night but there was an extra achievement that slipped under the radar.

One of our World Cup agent reporters observed that it is England’s first win on ITV in normal time for the past 10 matches.

Stuart Robinson, director of Zoom Estate Agents, files his report below:

England took on Senegal at the Al Bayt Stadium Sunday evening. Going into the match, one particular stat was flying around:

England have not won any of their last ten matches on ITV in normal time
19% win rate in their last 16 games on ITV
Since 1996 there's a 39% win rate on ITV, compared to 68% on the BBC

This apparent curse trending on social media looked like it would continue, up until the 38th minute.

It was a sluggish start from England, a pattern that continues to occur. A slow and unenthusiastic first half with the best chances of the game falling to the African Champions.

Senegal knew when to press and made it difficult for England’s defence to pass out from the back, getting caught out on a few occasions. England struggled to get any rhythm going and didn’t look threatening at all. Jordan Pickford was called to action, making a great save to deny Dia.

As soon as England began to play attacking, forward, direct football they were rewarded. It had to be the man of the hour too, Jude Bellingham. What a talent this young man is. A wonderful ball played by Harry Kane sent Jude down the left before his pull back found an onrushing Jordan Henderson to sweep home and make it 1-0. That seemed to wake England up.

Bukayo Saka got involved in the action, attempting to set up Phil Foden with a teasing cross that just evaded him, before a brilliant, pinpoint cross found Harry Kane who wasn’t able to bury the chance. At that point, many may have thought it wasn’t going to be his evening. But with the last kick of the half, Harry Kane thumped in his first goal of the tournament after more great work from Jude Bellingham on the counter attack, going past several Senegelese men, finding Phil Foden who then found a composed Harry Kane. Just like that, it was 2-0 to England heading into the break.

Deserved? Perhaps not. Ruthless? Absolutely. Just goes to show how much of a different team England are when they play with a fiery attacking mentality, moving the ball quickly and with purpose.

England started the second half as they ended the first. Upped the tempo considerably and were looking for a 3rd goal with the aim to kill the game. That happened on the 57th minute, again, more brilliant work from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, with the former finding the ever influential Phil Foden who did brilliantly to pick out Bukayo Saka. The in-form winger applied a delicate touch to lift the ball over Édouard Mendy and make it 3-0.

After that, the game was all but over. Senegal showed some threatening signs but they looked like a defeated team. England on the other hand, were probably thinking about how to stop Kylian Mbappé, or at least slow him down.

Gareth Southgate has a week to figure that out! Will it be a back five? Or will the team who has got them this far continue on? One thing’s for sure, this will be England’s biggest test so far. Kyle Walker looked slightly rusty tonight, he’ll need to be in top form as will Declan Rice, who you would think will be the man assigned to Antoine Griezmann.

England cannot afford a slow start and any sloppy mistakes. Against Senegal they weren’t punished, England will certainly not want to chance it against France! For a place in the last 4, England will have to beat the current World Champions and the favourites of many. Can they do it?

This time next week, we’ll have an answer…

Come on England!

Quick word on Raheem Sterling and Benjamin White who have left the England camp to return home. We hope all is well with them