England have marched into the last 16 of the World Cup as Group B winners, after Marcus Rashford's double and a Phil Foden strike justified their first starts of the tournament in a 3-0 hammering of an outclassed Wales.
Wales, who needed an unlikely four-goal victory in a fixture they had not won since 1984 to reach the knockout rounds, defended deeply and frustrated England in a subdued first half at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.
But they caved in after the break, as Gareth Southgate's side, who will face Senegal in the next round, took their goals tally in the group to nine.
Wales could have reached the last 16 with a victory, if the match between Iran and the United States ended level, but any hope of that scenario unfolding evaporated rapidly, once Rashford smashed home a free-kick, five minutes after the break.
A minute later, Manchester City's Foden - another of the four changes Southgate made to his starting lineup - converted from close range, after a fine low cross from Harry Kane.
Wales, whose talisman Gareth Bale was substituted at halftime after making no impact, looked crestfallen, as their first World Cup for 64 years fizzled out.
England continued to dish out the punishment and Rashford made it 3-0 with a surging run in from the right, before shooting through a crowd and past Ward's legs in the 68th.
Manchester United's Rashford, whose place in the squad was uncertain a few months ago, after he struggled with form and injuries, now has three goals in the tournament.
England's 0-0 draw with the United States brought them back down to earth after an opening 6-2 rout of Iran, but they will go into their last-16 clash with Group A runners-up Senegal full of confidence.
Reuters
