|
|
|
|
Just when it looked like England were going to extend their
disappointing run in World Cup tournaments, Kane stooped at the far post to
turn in a header in the 91st minute.
England had promised to launch their campaign with attacking
football and they tore into Tunisia from the start of the Group G game, their
red-shirted players buzzing into open spaces.
Kane put England deservedly ahead in the 11th minute when
Tunisia keeper Mouez Hassen could only palm a strong header by John Stones
towards the striker who coolly netted.
Tunisia came to Russia with a reputation for being hard to break
down. Instead they were opened up repeatedly by England early on, especially
on the right flank with Kieran Trippier posing attacking menace with his pace
and incisive crosses.
England paid the price for their wastefulness when the North
Africans, who had barely begun to press forward, were awarded a penalty
before the break.
Defender Kyle Walker swung an arm behind him and caught
Fakhreddine Ben Youssef in the face and Colombian referee Wilmar Roldan
pointed to the spot.
Ferjani Sassi, after appearing to whisper a prayer to himself,
scored low to the right of England keeper Jordan Pickford in the 35th minute.
England had penalty claims of their own turned down before
struggling to maintain their intensity after halftime. Tunisia looked more
comfortable as they sat back in defence, only to be undone by Kane in the
91st minute.
From a Trippier corner, a glancing header from Harry Maguire
found the Tottenham Hotspur striker at the back post and he cleverly nodded
home to give England a winning start.
The result means Belgium top Group G on goal difference after a
3-0 over World Cup debutantes Panama earlier on Monday.
|
Source: NDO
Powered by ICT GROUP.
