World Cup commentator Lee Dixon calls out ITV director live on air as England beat Senegal | Football | Sport
World Cup commentator Lee Dixon called out the ITV director live on air on Sunday night as he provided his expert opinion during England’s showdown with Senegal. The Three Lions were in imperious form against the Africa Cup of Nations champions as they ran out 3-0 winners to book their place in the quarter-finals of the Qatar tournament.
Ahead of the World Cup, England were among the favourites to lift the trophy after reaching the semi-finals in Russia four years ago and securing their place at the Qatar tournament without losing any of their qualifying matches. And Gareth Southgate’s side set up an encounter with Senegal after winning Group B courtesy of two wins and a draw.
England were frustrated for larger parts of the first half during their last-16 match but finally broke the deadlock with seven minutes of the opening period remaining as Jordan Henderson swept home Jude Bellingham’s low cross. And the Three Lions doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time as Harry Kane thumped the ball past Edouard Mendy after being teed-up by Phil Foden.
England continued to dominate after the interval and wrapped the game up just before the hour mark as Bukayo Saka stole in to convert Foden’s cross. But Dixon took aim at the ITV director during the match.
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The England players will now have six days to recover before they play their quarter-final match, which is set to take place at the Al Bayt Stadium at 7pm on Saturday. And following the win over Senegal, Gareth Southgate said: “I think the ruthlessness of our execution [impressed me most], the way the ball worked with and without the ball. In the end, we were a bit sticky with the ball in the first 20 to 30 minutes, Senegal had a lot of energy, pressed well, kept the shape well and our best opportunities came from winning the ball from them. I thought Jude and Hendo in particular were outstanding in that aspect of the game.”
On the quarter-final game with France, he added: “They’re an outstanding team with a phenomenal tournament record. They have some outstanding individuals and for sure it’s a game where we have to find our level.”