FORMER IRELAND AND CHELSEA HERO Damien Duff believes that England will be waiting an even longer time for it to come home if they continue to play the way they have been playing in the group stages of this year's World Cup.
England beat Wales 3-0 in the final game of the group, but the game was a tale of two stories
So, so good by @MarcusRashford! pic.twitter.com/89hiIdoYpS
— England (@England) November 29, 2022
Southgate's men went into the break 0-0 with little to show for their efforts against Rob Page's side
Duff speaking at halftime tore into England saying: 'It’s been so bad from both teams,'
'Wales are just there waiting to be beaten so enough said on them.
'England… I said before the game that it’s a must-win game, and another reason why… they’ve won one in eight and in the Nations League they didn’t win any games.
'Yes, they’ve dominated possession but that’s because there’s no pressure. Needless touches all the time, taking two, three, four, five touches and then just passing the ball. Second half, it should be simple – two-touch or dribble.
He added: 'You look at them and it looks like they have the weight of the world, the nation, the media, the fans and then you look at rival teams that are looking to win the World Cup – your Spains, the French, they play with a rhythm, a speed, a tempo, a freedom and you believe in them.
'Whereas England are just so structured and robotic. 56 years since they won it, they’ll be waiting a long time if this is England going forward.
'The Welsh… 64 years since they were in it last. They’ll be waiting for another 64. Such a poor game with some of the best players in the world on view.'
In the second-half whatever was said by Soutgate seemed to have worked. Goals from Phil Foden and a brace from Marcus Rashford sealed England's place in the last-16
The Three Lions will now play Senegal on Sunday after the African side managed to finish runners up in their group.
Speaking again at full time, the Shels manager praised England for being efficient, but admitted he couldn't see England getting past the quarter finals.
Duff backed the likes of France and Spain to dismantle Southgate's troops should they make it that far.
‘If there’s one way to describe this team, which has evolved over the last few years, it’s that they’re an efficient team,’Duff told RTE after the game.
‘You’re not going to rush out and watch them. They’re very structured at times, like I said at half-time, that speed, that tempo that France or Spain have…
‘Do I look at them and think they’re a team capable of winning the World Cup? No.
‘Senegal, yes possibly, you’re getting through, but then you’re hitting one of the big hitters, France or whatever.’
He added: ‘Listen, I don’t want to be England bashing. I think Gareth Southgate’s done an absolutely wonderful job, he’s got them to two semi-finals.
He’s brought a real togetherness to everything that I don’t think they’ve had in the past, but listen, at the end of the day, it’s all about winning.
‘I can’t see them winning the World Cup, to be brutally honest.’
England play Senegal on the 4th December Sunday at 19.00.
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🗣️'England have been diabolical.'
Liam Brady and Damien Duff have been less than impressed by that first half.
📺Watch live now on @rte2 & @rteplayer: https://t.co/JYf06cJLAe
📱Live updates: https://t.co/VqdeLchOWt#FIFAWorldCup #WALENG #RTESoccer pic.twitter.com/VqMnQG9LQA— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) November 29, 2022
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