Fans voice fury at Gareth Southgate after Marcus Rashford is benched for Senegal clash

England’s crucial World Cup clash with Senegal is underway, with the Three Lions battling the Lions of Teranga for a place in the quarter finals in Qatar.

Manager Gareth Southgate caused a stir earlier this evening when it emerged he’d dropped top scorer Marcus Rashford to the bench.

Meanwhile Raheem Sterling, one of the England boss’ most trusted lieutenants in major tournaments, has also missed out to deal with a ‘family matter’.

Manchester United star Rashford already has three goals to his name in Qatar after bagging a brace against Wales and another in the 6-2 demolition of Iran.

But despite his impressive form, Southgate has opted for Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka to start in the crucial last 16 clash, while Raheem Sterling has also missed out to deal with a ‘family matter’.

It came as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wished the team good luck and also hailed hosts Qatar for an ‘incredible World Cup so far’.

He tweeted: ‘Hats off to Qatar for hosting an incredible World Cup so far. The group stages will be remembered as one of the all-time greats. Come on @England keep the dream alive.’

Also on social media were a number of unhappy England fans, bemoaning the absence of in-form Rashford.

One wrote: ‘No Rashford is a joke. Been our best and most threatening player the first 3 games. Southgate’s a [clown].’ 

Another said: ‘In the last game, Marcus Rashford scored two self-created goals & won the ball back with a high press to create the third. And what has Southgate done in return? Benched him.’

A third added: ‘Rashford being benched doesn’t sit right with me at all considering his current form.’

Saka caught the eye with two goals against Iran but missed out on a start against Wales last Tuesday in favour of Rashford and Manchester City’s Phil Foden, who retains his place tonight.

Sterling, who also scored in the opening game, has been left out of the squad altogether due to a family matter. 

Southgate explained Sterling’s absence in a pre-match interview with ITV but did not confirm whether he would be returning to the UK for the remainder of the tournament or if he would return to the squad.

He said: ‘I spent a bit of time with him this morning. We’ve passed him on to people to help him deal with that. 

‘He’s going to deal with that matter and we take it from there really.’

 This is the first ever meeting between England and Senegal, with the winners to take on France, after their comfortable 3-1 win over Poland earlier.

It comes as England fans have started making their way inside the Al Bayt stadium for the hotly anticipated round of 16 clash. 

Three Lions supporters were pictured waving St. George’s crosses and dressed head to toe in national team garb as they pounded the pavements in Doha, with many predicting an ‘easy’ win in their first knockout game in the World Cup.

Hayden Smith, 27, from Essex, said: ‘I want to get it done, get through to the quarters and beat France as well.’

Spurs fan Mr Smith added: ‘(Harry) Kane hat-trick, watch, he’ll score tonight – everyone is slagging him off but he’s going to get a goal tonight – easy 3-0, 4-0.’

On Senegal, Mr Smith said: ‘I know they’re the champions of Africa but I watched them in the Afcon (Africa Cup of Nations) and the group and I don’t think they’re all that, I think we’ll be fine.’

On England’s chances for the rest of the World Cup, he said: ‘I think we’re going to win it’. 

Friends Tom Egerton and Tom King, both 31 and from Winchester, were dressed in traditional Arab robes as they sampled the atmosphere with other England fans.

Mr Egerton, who works in property, said: ‘Hopefully Southgate plays positive today and it should be a good game.

‘I reckon it’s going to be 2-1 (to England).’

Mr King, who works in construction, said ‘it’s coming home’ when asked about England and predicted a 3-1 win against Senegal.

Asked about their outfits, the pair said they had been inspired to wear the robes and headdresses after seeing other fans wear them at the Wales game.

Speaking ahead of tonight’s match, England manager Southgate kept his cards close to his chest, admitting there really was no ‘right or wrong’ answer to who should start for the Three Lions. 

‘It’s a good position to be in,’ Southgate said. ‘You want your players in confident mood and our forward players are.

‘Of course you want to try to make the best possible decision, but in some respects I’m not sure there’s a right or a wrong. Whichever players we start with, we’re going to need the bench, we need the strength.

Back in Britain, England fans hit the beers early this morning as they calm their nerves ahead of tonight’s last 16 tie, with 15 million pints set to be sunk on Sunday.

MailOnline spoke to punters in boozers across the nation to gauge the excitement and anticipation just hours before the Three Lions take on Senegal later today.

James, 43, from Birmingham, speaking to MailOnline from a Wetherspoon’s in Victoria, said: ‘It’s going to be a very tough game. They are a very physical team Senegal are, it’s going to be a very tough game. 

‘We need to play Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford,’ he added. ‘We need the same team that wins, like the last game. I am super excited, I think we are going to win and I’m predicting a 2-1 win to England. We are going to win the World Cup — it’s coming home.’

Chris Kingdon, Ian Davis, Brian Allen, Michael Ball, all in their 50s from Abingdon, had found a table early Sunday in the same Wetherspoon’s. 

Chris is more pessimistic, saying: ‘Can’t see England getting to the final, semi-finals they will get to though.’

He added: ‘We knew we were going to beat Wales the other day but I am not sure we have played with the quality to go through to the final yet. If we get through tonight and play France that will be great.’ 

But Ian offered a more positive outlook: ‘They will win tonight’s match, 2-1 prediction. 

‘The team does seem to be like a big family. But whatever Southgate does people knock him, they build him up and knock him down, despite what he’s achieved but that’s football.

‘They need to play Foden tonight, and Rashford. Once he gets Foden back in it will be alright.’