Buzzworthy: Kane lifts Brits
Striker delivers win with stoppage-time goal, early score
Twice wrestled to the ground during the match, England captain Harry Kane finally evaded the Tunisian defense 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 victory at the World Cup in Volgograd.
It was relief for Kane and Gareth Southgate, who leapt in delight as his World Cup debut as a coach got off to a winning start.
“The best teams keep that belief in what they’re doing,” Southgate said, “and in the end they break the opposition down.”
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 11thminute tap-in. But after Kyle Walker softly conceded a penalty that Ferjani Sassi converted in the 35th, many of the fouls went against England.
Finally, Kane showcased on the international stage the predatory instinct in front of goal that has served Tottenham so well. Only two years ago, the striker failed to find the net at the 2016 European Championship, which ended in humiliation with a loss to Iceland in the last 16.
At the last World Cup, England couldn’t even win a game. Low expectations for this year’s overhauled team were dispelled early in Russia when Kane reacted quickly to score after John Stones’ header was saved. But England struggled to finish it off.
Kane remained patient and delivered in the first minute of stoppage time.
“You go until the last second,” Kane said, “and I’m absolutely buzzing.”
A video review helped Sweden earn a penalty kick and secure its victory in Nizhny Novgorod.
Sweden captain Andreas Granqvist converted from the spot, sliding his shot into the bottom right corner in the 65th minute.
Referee Joel Aguilar used the replay technology to decide whether South Korea substitute Kim Min-woo had fouled Viktor Claesson in the area after initially waving play on.
It was Sweden’s first Cup victory since 2006. Romelu Lukaku scored two goals in a six-minute span and Dries Mertens put in another to give Belgium the win in Sochi.
Panama, which was making its Cup debut, was unable to reward its thousands of loud, passionate fans with a goal.
FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings against Mexico after its fans used an anti-gay slur during Sunday’s win over Germany.
Some Mexican supporters chanted the slur when Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer prepared to take a goal kick. Fans in Mexico use the chant to insult opposing goalkeepers as they take a goal kick.
Mexico’s federation has been repeatedly fined by FIFA over fans chanting the slur.
WLTEgypt coach Hector Cuper said he’s “sure” Mohamed Salah will be fit to play against Russia on Tuesday.
Salah, the Premier League’s player of the season, was an unused sub in Egypt’s loss to Uruguay on Friday as he recovers from injuring his shoulder while playing for Liverpool last month.
Saudi Arabia officials said the team landed safely after a reported engine failure on their flight to Rostov-onDon for Wednesday’s game against Uruguay.
The team didn’t release details on the engine issue.