England gets head start from Kane

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

Kane found an open area of space at the far post and used his head to meet Harry Maguire’s flick-on, scoring the winning goal Monday in a 2-1 win at the World Cup.

It was relief for Kane and Gareth Southgate, who leapt into the air in delight as his World Cup debut as a coach got off to a winning start.

England shouldn’t have found it so tough in its Group G opener against such opposition.

Not after Kane got England off to a perfect start with an 11th-minute tap-in.

But after Kyle Walker softly conceded a penalty that Ferjani Sassi converted in the 35th, many of the fouls went against England.

“Maybe there was a bit of justice at the end,” said Kane, who persisted through a pair of non-calls and ultimately delivered for the Three Lions.

“You go until the last second,” Kane said, “and I’m absolutely buzzing.”

Sweden’s height advantage got to South Korea.

In an effort to compensate for the disparity, South Korea coach Shin Tae-yong decided to use a backup player in goal because he is the tallest of the team’s three keepers.

The gamble worked, but a penalty still gave the Swedes a 1-0 victory on Monday at the World Cup.

At 6-foot-3, Jo Hyeon-woo is tallest of the South Korean goalkeepers. But he is normally No. 3 on the list when it comes to playing time.

Romelu Lukaku scored two goals in a six-minute span and Dries Mertens put in another Monday to give Belgium a 3-0 win over Panama.

Belgium showed flashes of being the dominant team worthy of title consideration.