Raheem is delighted by strange sensation

RAHEEM STERLING praised 10-man England for picking up a win in ‘strange’ circumstances as his last-gasp penalty earned a 1-0 Nations League victory over Iceland.

‘It was definitely strange, the first game back,’ said matchwinner Sterling, who insisted he was always confident he would tuck away his penalty.

‘It (the game) was my third training session this week so we always knew it would be difficult but there is no better way to get your fitness than in matches.

‘It was tough but we got through it, we knew we had to challenge ourselves and find something deep within.’

He added: ‘We didn’t expect the red card but it happened and we kept trying to play our football... we got the penalty in the end.

‘As soon as I got the ball I said straight down the middle, it is the 90th minute and I was sure the keeper wouldn’t stand straight down the middle so I was quite confident with it.’

It may not have been the most memorable of matches for most, but it was an unforgettable one for

Sterling’s Manchester City team-mate Phil Foden, who was handed his England debut. ‘It feels amazing, it is a dream come true,’ the 20-year-old midfielder said.

Boss Gareth Southgate added: ‘Real mixed bag. I think we started well, were sharp for 15, 20. I think the goal should stand and have a good bearing on the flow of the game.

‘Then I thought we were good until the final third but a lack of match sharpness showed in our creative play. Defensively reasonably solid, caught on a few counter-attacks, but defended set plays well. The sending off is a key moment, very difficult to win games at any level with 10 men.’