Harry Kane stepped up as England dug out a narrow 2-1 victory against Tunisia. The Three Lions were dominant before and after their first goal until Tunisia scored a penalty. Once the game was level, England looked flat and could only create chances from set pieces. In the end, set pieces were enough to get England the three points as both goals came from corners.
Harry Kane Saves the Day
Harry Kane’s Perfect Start
It couldn’t start any better for an England player to get any press off his back by scoring a goal in the 11th minute. A corner taken by Ashley Young led to a great header by John Stones. However the shot was met with a brilliant stop by Tunisian keeper Mouez Hassen, but Harry Kane was in the area for a rebound to put England one in front.
England started the game very well with great movement from Dele Alli, Raheem Sterling and Jesse Lingard. The Three Lions dominated possession in the first half of the game and continued to create chances. Jordan Henderson provided a solid base for the front four to work off.
England’s Sloppiness
All was going well for England until Tunisia started to thrive forward with their limited chances. Kyle Walker elbowed a Tunisian player and gave away a penalty which was converted by Ferjani Sassi. It was after this moment that England started to look sloppy at the back with Tunisia creating a few more chances after this.
Tunisia Grow in Confidence
In the final third of the first half, Tunisia started to look more solid and belief amongst the players grew. In possession and going forward England looked good, it was their defence that looked like it may cost England this tournament.
England Looked Static
After the opening 10 minutes, England looked static and uninspiring, they don’t know where to go. The opening twenty minutes of the game England’s movement was great and caused problems for Tunisia.
Tunisia settled into the game more as it went on, England were only creating chances from set pieces with Harry Maguire being the main threat. Questions will be asked about Southgate as the tempo slowed down and there was a lack of urgency from his players.
This English side lacked vision and creativity from deeper midfield. Jordan Henderson was often caught passing the ball backwards. Lingard, Sterling and Alli didn’t help Henderson however as the attackers were playing at pedestrian pace and not creating space for Henderson to pass to.
England’s Best Player Saves the Day
In the end, Harry Kane stood up and scored from a corner to win England the game. Harry Maguire headed a corner to the back post where Kane was standing. Being the clinical finisher that he is, Kane stuck it away.
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