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Topics: Marcus Rashford, World Cup, Sport
Stewart Perrie
Topics: Marcus Rashford, World Cup, Sport
Marcus Rashford has dedicated a goal he scored in the World Cup clash against Wales to a friend who had died recently from cancer.
The Manchester United forward was instrumental in the 'Battle of Britain' in Qatar by scoring two goals; one in the 50th minute and another in the 68th.
Phil Foden also notched a goal in the 51st minute in what was a fantastic and incredible 20 minutes of play during the Group B game.
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Rashford's first goal saw him drop to his knees and point his fingers up into the air.
While the celebration isn't anything we haven't seen before on the football pitch, the footballer revealed it had a special and heartbreaking meaning behind it.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Rashford said: "I lost one of my friends a couple of days ago. He had quite a long battle with cancer.
"I’m pleased I scored for him, he was a big supporter and good friend of mine.
"He was someone who came into my life.”
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The Three Lions walked away from the match up 3-0 and have booked themselves a spot in the Top 16.
The progression from the group stages into the next round will have everyone in England singing 'It's Coming Home'.
But there is a lot ahead of the team before that starts to take any real legitimacy.
Rashford told the BBC it's a honour to get this far.
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"It's obviously a great feeling," he said.
"We were disappointed as a team after the last game, we could have played a lot better. The only way to bounce back is to play better in your next game."
He added: "Moments like this, this is what I play football for. I am really happy today to be going into the next round of the tournament, because I have massive ambition for this team and I think we can go a lot further."
Rashford isn't the only one to pay tribute to someone who has died at this World Cup.
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Wales fullback Neco Williams was overwhelmed with emotion during the team's first match in Qatar.
His grandfather passed away the day before and Williams made sure to honour him during their clash against the USA.
The 21-year-old Wrexham-born star said he had been crying all day before the match.
As the final whistle blew, he was overwhelmed with emotions once again.
The camera got up close to the footballer and, when he realised the world's lens was concentrated on him, he decided to send a message to his late grandfather.
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“That was for you grandad," he said.