You Kane touch this!

Captain Harry rescues England with injury-time winner against Tunisia

Hscored an injury-time header to spare England’s blushes with a narrow 2-1 win over Tunisia to open their World Cup campaign in Volgograd earlier today. England impressed, struggled but ultimately secured a narrowly deserved victory thanks to Kane nodding home a 91st minute corner. The captain’s early opener capped a whirlwind start from England who subsequently lost their way and allowed Ferjani Sassi to level with a needless penalty before the break.

But in the second half England looked lethargic and Tunisia seemed set for a famous draw until Kane was in the right place to guide in Harry Maguire’s flick.

England move level with Belgium on three points at the top of Group G, but behind on goal difference, ahead of their next match against Panama on Sunday. Tunisia meet Belgium on Saturday.

Both sets of players were bugged by swarms of mosquitoes and midges in the warm-up but England were not distracted come kickoff.

They flowed forward and created a golden chance within minutes when Dele Alli won the ball in the box and Jesse Lingard was denied by a sensational Mouez Hassen save.

Hassen then clawed away Maguire’s header but required treatment after a clash with Lingard and would not last much longer.

Before he went off he made one more stunning block, denying John Stone’s 11th minute header, but was helpless as Kane turned in the rebound for his first goal at a major finals.

Farouk Ben Mustapha replaced Hassen and handled a couple of long shots before Tunisia slowly came back into the contest.

And they were gifted a penalty when Kyle Walker carelessly elbowed Fakhreddine Ben Youssef and Sassi levelled from the spot with a cool penalty in the 35th.

England were stung and should have regained the lead before halftime but Stones miskicked with the goal gaping and Lingard hit the post with a chip over Mustapha.

Tunisia scarcely managed an attack in the second half but were resolute in defence. At times their physical approach at defensive set pieces prompted English frustration but referee Wilmar Roldan was unmoved.

England, with Alli seemingly struggling from a first half knock, could not reignite their early intensity and manager Gareth Southgate turned to the bench for inspiration.

Marcus Rashford replaced the ineffectual Raheem Sterling with 20 minutes remaining but still England struggled to create.

Ashley Young sent a freekick curling over but as time was running out Kane popped up to shatter Tunisia, who were within touching distance of a famous draw. – dpa