England’s first half first class, Latest Football News

And Craig Mitch, England’s social media presenter in Russian Federation, joined Kane in braving the unpleasant conditions and questioned the striker about his double against Tunisia, the match with Panama and the importance of recovery at the World Cup. Harry Maguire headed a corner to the back post where Kane was standing.

TRT World’s Lance Santos has more.

The Liverpool captain was deployed in a holding midfield role for the Three Lions, who took an early lead through Harry Kane’s close-range finish.

“He’d have sat for the last week watching Ronaldo, Griezmann and Pogba scoring goals knowing we would be talking about him and tournament football”. We had a lot of bug spray on and that was important.

England seemed destined for a familiar hard-luck story – dominance with little to show for it.

For England’s sake, it’s a moment they can only hope will be drawn upon further down the line.

Previously, Morocco, Egypt and Nigeria had conceded all their goals in the World Cup from set pieces and Tunisia showed the same vulnerability as Africa’s losing streak continued in Russian Federation.

Shearer believed Kane would have been desperate to get involved in the tournament after watching a number of the game’s biggest stars get amongst the goals.

Manchester City’s Kyle Walker needlessly gave away a penalty – converted by Ferjani Sassi – and England visibly shrunk thereafter, probing instead of penetrating, but eventually found a victor in the nick of time. The Tottenham striker ought to have been awarded two penalties as he was manhandled in the box.

While England’s main grievance was with the Kane incidents, there was confusion surrounding the Tunisia penalty too, with the video assistant referees ultimately upholding the decision of Colombian referee Wilmar Roldan to point to the spot. Ferjani Sassi stepped up and made no mistake, just beating the outstretched arm of Jordan Pickford.

Twice wrestled to the ground during the match, England captain Harry Kane finally evaded the Tunisian defence just as time was running out.

England had penalty claims of their own turned down before struggling to maintain their intensity after halftime. I’ve not seen the penalty [awarded against England] back but, from my point of view, it didn’t look like one.

Asked about the flies in Volgograd, man of the match Kane said: “There were a lot more than we thought”. “At the end the pressure built and built”. We’re expecting massed ranks of Panama defenders and Loftus-Cheek has got that intricate ball skill, he can weave it and create chances, but I’m a believer in Sterling.

Jesse Lingard and Ashley Young both started their first World Cup game, while Marcus Rashford came on from the bench. Then came elimination from Euro 2016 at the hands of tiny Iceland.