England have already been handed extra advantage for Senegal clash

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England have already been handed a major boost ahead of their World Cup knockout last 16 clash with Senegal, who will be without star midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye for Sunday’s contest. The Everton man picked up his second yellow card of the tournament on Tuesday as his side battled past Ecuador with a 2-1 victory to secure second place in Group A behind Holland.

Gueye was also booked in their World Cup opening 2-0 defeat to Holland last week – meaning as per FIFA rules, he will now face a one-match suspension in Qatar.

The news will come as a huge blow for Senegal boss Aliou Cisse, despite his delight at reaching the knockout stages without Sadio Mane.

At 33, Gueye is one of his nation’s most-dependable players as he closes in on 100 appearances for Senegal.

His combative presence in the middle park has also been key to helping Cisse’s side make it out of Group A.

Gueye also featured earlier in the year as Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations before later qualifying for the World Cup via a penalty shootout victory over Egypt in their play-off.

World Cup yellow cards will now be wiped after the quarter-finals in a welcome boost for nervy players.

England star Paul Gascoigne would have famously missed the 1990 World Cup final had the Three Lions made it past West Germany in the semi-final.

Back in 2018, Senegal were actually eliminated from the World Cup on the FIFA Fair Play yellow card tiebreaker.

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The African side were tied on four points with Japan and both teams had also scored and conceded four goals apiece – having drawn their match 2-2.

United States also made it out of Group B and they will play Netherlands in the last 16 as Louis van Gaal’s side won Group A.

Gareth Southgate has confirmed that England’s players will get the day off on Wednesday before they begin preparations for Senegal.

“I haven’t been able to see games yet. I saw them play Iran in September,” he said.

“We know a few of the individuals, some big players playing in big leagues. We know that we’ll be favourites but we’re playing a dangerous team.”

Jordan Henderson, who was making his first start of the tournament, is under no illusions that Senegal will be a tough test for England.

“We play Senegal, which is a really tough opponent,” Henderson told ITV.

“I’ve seen them play quite a bit with Sadio Mane, they’ve got some really good players – African champions. So a really tough test for us.”

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