England’s World Cup campaign appeared to be getting off in familiar fashion until Harry Kane’s late winner from a corner kick to beat Tunisia 2-1.
The England skipper opened the scoring in the 11th minute as he turned in the rebound from John Stones’ header following a bright start from Gareth Southgate’s men.
Tunisia drew level in the 35th minute from the penalty spot with Ferjani Sassi beating Jordan Pickford from 12 yards.
Kane however was on hand again to score from an injury-time corner which got a touch off Harry Maguire.
BASIC STATS
Goals – 2
Shots – 18
Possession – 61%
Tackles – 12
Dribbles – 14
30-SECOND REPORT
England were set up in their tried and tested 3-1-4-2 formation with Raheem Sterling in support of Kane. Jordan Henderson got the nod over Eric Dier as the holding midfielder and did well on the night to spread play. The wing-backs provided plenty of width in attack and the likes of Lingard and Alli were able to break forward.
As England chased the game in the second half, the centre-backs stepped up with greater frequency, adding more numbers in midfield but cautious not to congest the central area. Harry Maguire for instance regularly found himself running down the left flank when he carried the ball forward.
Gareth Southgate.
TACTICAL TALKING POINTS
Direct ball forward
For much of the first half, there was a pattern of play which England seemed to have perfect – except for its conclusion. They played the ball out from the back well, drew in Tunisia enough and would then go forward quickly with a direct pass.
Jordan Henderson and Kieran Trippier did that particularly well on a few occasions, releasing the likes of Jesse Lingard, Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane. They got in behind Tunisia plenty of times but fluffed their lines and wasted some glorious opportunities.
Jordan Henderson.
VERDICT
Southgate set his team out well and the attitude from kick-off seemed to take Tunisia by surprise.
The boss should’ve been basking in the glory of being 3-0 up at half-time but the finishing let him down.
Perhaps should’ve been more proactive with his substitutions when his side never really got going after the restart. Finally, for 45 minutes at least, he delivered an England team which moved the ball swiftly with crisp passing and darting runs forward.
That knighthood should be any day now…
Rating – 7/10