Tuesday's player of the day: Rashford show gets Three Lions purring
After a relatively stuttering first half as England probed and asked questions of a nervous Wales defence, the Manchester United man was the standout performer as his side sparked into life soon after the break.
A sumptuous free kick from 25 yards was pinged into the top corner by the Mancunian, setting England on their way to a dominant and decisive victory over neighbours Wales in their Group B finale.
He was involved in the second goal too, winning the ball deep in Wales' half and ultimately allowing Harry Kane to set up fellow Manchester man Phil Foden for England's quickfire double.
Rashford then went on to finish off Welsh hopes with a powerful effort inside the box that squirmed through the legs of Leicester City keeper Danny Ward.
It was England's 100th goal at a World Cup finals - and marked a performance that now gives manager Gareth Southgate a welcome selection headache going into their last 16 tie against Senegal on Sunday.
Prior to the World Cup in Qatar, Rashford hadn't turned out for the national side since missing a penalty in the final of Euro 2020.
Shakey club form continued in the following season, but under new manager Erik ten Hag, the 25-year-old forward has rediscovered his goalscoring touch, netting 7 goals in 19 appearances so far this season for the Red Devils.
He also got himself on the scoresheet in England's 6-2 victory over Iran in their opening game.
"This is what I play football for, the biggest moments, the best moments," Rashford told the BBC after the game.
"I'm really happy today that we're going through to the next round. I have massive ambition for this team and think we can play even better than we showed today."
England - now the top scorers so far at the World Cup with nine goals - have given Southgate a big decision to make, with BBC pundit Alan Shearer labelling Rashford as "undroppable" for the next game.
With the likes of Raheem Sterling, Bukayo Saka, Jack Grealish and Phil Foden still vying for places on the wing, Southgate has to decide on whether to put his faith in the Golden Boot chasing Rashford or risk upsetting the morale of a player seemingly back to his best.
