Marcus Rashford is a good guy. And this is irrespective of the fluent forward’s great ability on the football pitch. There have been numerous instances of his kindness, like when in 2019 he initiated the ‘In the Box’ campaign to help the homeless in Manchester or a year later when he accepted a young fan’s invitation to judge a school poetry competition. Yet, Rashford suffered racial abuse after missing a penalty in England’s Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy. Eventually however, good things happen to good people, and Tuesday night saw Rashford make the most of his first-team opportunity, scoring a brilliant brace as England routed neighbours Wales 3-0 to storm into the Round of 16 where they will meet African champions Senegal on Sunday.

A day before the Wales game, Rashford’s England teammate Kieran Trippier had said that the Al Rihla ball being used here was too light and would fly away if kicked with power, which is why no one had scored off a free-kick. Rashford proved him wrong with a neatly executed free-kick in the 50th minute. Phil Foden, who was also given a start on the night by coach Gareth Southgate, after sitting out their 0-0 stalemate against USA, added the second off a simple tap in a minute later before Rashford got one (68th min) to sneak in between Welsh custodian Danny Ward’s legs to seal the win.