THE VERDICT: ENGLAND 2 TUNISIA 1
HARRY Kane dug England out of a hole and secured a last-gasp 2-1 win over Tunisia in their World Cup opener.
Gareth Southgate could hardly have wished for a better start to this Group G clash in Volgograd, where his side capped a start displaying skill, verve and energy with an early goal from their skipper.
Yet the officials managed to topple the insects as England’s biggest irritant as Ferjani Sassi netted from a controversially awarded penalty that somehow was not followed up by spot-kicks at the other end as the video assistant referees ignored the manhandling of Kane.
But what Southgate’s men lack in experience they make up for in spirit, with Tottenham striker Kane nodding home for a dramatic late win.
It is the first time England have opened a major tournament with a win since 2006 but it did not need to be this hard given Kane directed home an 11th-minute opener.
Bold, direct and hungry in attack, Southgate’s men were then hit by a sucker-punch as referee Wilmar Roldan pointed to the spot after City’s Kyle Walker swung an arm in the box.
Sassi fired home and frustration grew as the VAR did not interject after Kane was dragged to the deck.
United midfielder Jesse Lingard hit the post in between those controversial incidents but chances dried up in a testing second half before Kane’s stoppage-time heroics won it for England.
Southgate entrusted nine World Cup debutants and was rewarded with an amazing start.
Lingard and Harry Maguire had early attempts, before Raheem Sterling somehow failed to end his 983-day wait for an international goal by turning wide at the back post.
Tunisia goalkeeper Mouez Hassen required treatment after hurting his shoulder during the latter opportunity and was forced off in the 15th minute - by which point England had found a way past him.
Ashley Young’s corner was met by a powerful John Stones header, which Hassen denied superbly only for Kane to pounce and turn home.
Jordan Henderson attempted to add another and Lingard then wasted another opportunity after Young’s cross.
Maguire saw a header kept out with Tunisia on the back foot, but cumbersome moments at the back gave the North Africans hope. Sassi saw an attempt from the edge of the box go wide via a deflection, before referee Roldan raised eyebrows. Walker jogged away Kane (11, 90), Sassi (35 pen) 61% 39% 18 6 7 2 Walker None after ushering Fakhreddine Ben Youssef away from a cross, but the defender’s use of an arm led the Colombian to point to the spot.
Sassi fired a low penalty just out of Jordan Pickford’s reach. It was a suckerpunch that could have been compounded had more sloppy play been capitalised upon as England became a shell of the side that started so superbly.
The second half started with Yassine Meriah wrestling Kane to the deck at a corner but that was again ignored by the officials.
Kieran Trippier and Young failed with free-kicks as England displayed a worrying lack of creativity, but they made up for it with their never-say-die attitude.
Maguire nodded on a corner to the far post and Kane was there to score to the delight of all connected to England.