Gareth Southgate has England fans jubilant rather than jeering again as his strategy pays off

Gareth Southgate has the England fans jubilant rather than jeering again.

Not only did the selection shake-up pay off against Wales – so did the tactical tweak for the second half of the World Cup Group B finale.

Alongside Harry Kane up front in Al Rayyan, Phil Foden switched to the left flank and Marcus Rashford moved across to the right.

Within six minutes of the second half, goals had come from both Rashford and Foden – two players brought into the side to add freshness and spark.

It was a thunderous free kick from Rashford for the opener – with the goals dedicated to a friend, Garfield Hayward, who died in recent days.

The striker said: “He’s had quite a long battle with cancer, so I’m pleased I managed to score for him.

“He’s always been a big supporter of mine.

“He was just a great person and I’m pleased he came into my life, really.”

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Rashford was on the scoresheet again after a piece of sublime skill – a record ninth goal in a group stage for England at a tournament and a third in Qatar for him.

It’s an opportunity to dazzle for England that might have been slipping away from Rashford before being revitalised for Manchester United this season.

Southgate said: “I went and saw him in the summer, had a long chat with him and he had some clear ideas on things that he felt he needed to think about and to do.

“You can see with his club there’s been happiness in his performances this year.”

Southgate was delighted too with Phil Foden, who provided England’s second after being set up by Harry Kane for his first World Cup goal.

This is a tournament where England have not been reliant on Kane for goals – yet.

The six-goal Golden Boot winner from 2018 – when England reached the semi-finals – has provided three assists: the most from an Englishman at a World Cup since David Beckham 20 years ago.

And there’s still at least one more game to come in Qatar, with Senegal up next in the last 16 on Sunday.

After some rest – rather than beers – after sending Wales home.

Southgate said: “We’ve got loads of milkshake back at the hotel. Everything is different, isn’t it? We’re embracing it.”

Just as they are the challenge of facing African champions Senegal for the first time.

Southgate said: “The big business starts now, really.”