RASHFORD MAKES UP FOR MISTAKE BY GRABBING ENGLAND WINNER
Youngster makes up for first-half error by hitting crucial winner
SAY what you like about international football, but, like most things that are no fun whatsoever, it does build character.
With almost his first touch of the game, Marcus Rashford made the mistake that could feasibly have cost England their World Cup place. Then, 56 minutes later, he redeemed himself with the goal that should make qualifying no more than a formality.
That takes mental fortitude, no matter the opposition. To earn the right to play Brazil or Argentina, a team must first battle through against the likes of Slovakia. England did that last night from a goal down, turning in a display that was both accomplished and psychologically strong.
Rashford was at the forefront of that. Still an international novice — and at times it showed — he could have shrunk after the error that ended with Slovakia’s thirdminute goal. Instead, he responded superbly. It was his corner that set up Eric Dier’s equaliser, his boot that defeated Slovak goalkeeper Martin Dubravka for the winner.
In between, he had several decent chances, and moments of creation, never stopped running, looking for the ball, seeking out a chance. It was a coming-of-age display in an England shirt — and he left to a standing ovation after 83 minutes, the pressure now eased.
The winning goal was neatly done, too. Jordan Henderson — captain again — laid the ball off to Rashford, who took a step to size up the target before striking from just outside the penalty area.
It put England in control at last after some worrying scares.
Just four minutes earlier, Joe Hart had made an excellent save, tipping a shot from Adam Nemec over the bar. After Rashford’s goal, England looked increasingly comfortable — far removed from the team that began the game conceding their fastest goal since the Stuart Pearce fiasco against San Marino 24 years ago.
It was a strange atmosphere at Wembley, and not just because of the confusion outside the stadium. Ticket and security issues left thousands the wrong side of the turnstiles when the match began, but that did not explain all the empty spaces.
Gareth Southgate’s side still punch their weight for a team without a major trophy in over half a century, but a full house used to be taken for granted here, at least in the matches that mattered.
Not any more. England’s stuttering campaign had made this, if not must-win, then certainly must not lose. The draw in Scotland had no longer made the road to Russia straightforward, and a Slovakian victory — albeit against the odds — would leave England staring at a play-off encounter.
So what unfolded after just three minutes was very much the worstcase scenario for Southgate and his beleaguered side. Slovakia took the lead and, from there, played with a confidence that has continued to elude England.
It was a mistake by Rashford that caused it, too. Media and public opinion has been supportive of putting the Manchester United man in the starting line-up. Slovakia’s goal showed Rashford still has a way to go before he has the experience to be relied upon. Trying to dribble out of trouble deep in his own half, he was apprehended by Slovakian pair Tomas Hubocan and Stanislav Lobotka. Ganging up on him, they emerged with the ball, Lobotka feeding it in to Nemec and continuing his run. Nemec chipped it into his path and Lobotka finished smartly, the ball passing beneath the raised arm of England goalkeeper Hart. It would’ve been harsh to blame him. The problem started higher up the field.
Was it a fluke? No fluke. Lobotka — who joined La Liga side Celta Vigo this summer — was running the game and with 15 minutes gone, Slovakia had enjoyed threequarters of the possession. Only slowly did England emerge from their state of shock and begin getting back into the game.
In the 15th minute, Harry Kane enjoyed the first shot of the night, picking the ball up straight from a goal-kick only to see it deflected wide for a corner. A similar fate befell a shot from Dele Alli two minutes later, picked out by a cross from Rashford.
England remain an unconvincing presence, and bad choices in good positions are not uncommon.
In the 21st minute, Alex OxladeChamberlain burst down the left, but with Kane and Alli in superior positions, hit an ambitious and selfish shot high over the bar.
So it continued. Rashford had a low shot bobble wide before, in the 37th minute, an old-fashioned set-piece gave England the equality they just about deserved.
Rashford takes the corners, with varying degrees of success, but this was simple and well worked.
From the right, he curled it towards the near post, where Dier had darted in and found space. Maybe the plan was to flick it on, but Dier went for broke, diverting the ball into the top corner — Lobotka stranded and powerless defending the line.
It gave England the fillip they needed at the end of the first half. Ryan Bertrand tried a shot from 20 yards out — hoping to follow on from his first international goal, against Malta on Friday — which goalkeeper Dubravka parried comfortably. Then Rashford tried his luck, Dubravka tipping the ball around his near post. Rashford would make amends in time.