Harry Kane’s late header helped England open their 2018 World Cup campaign with a 2-1 win over Tunisia. The 1966 champions played with intent and alacrity but wasted a slew of chances in front of goal. England looked set to rue over their missed chances but their captain Kane rose to the occasion in the 91st minute. Harry Maguire sent a cross towards the far post which was met by Kane who headed it into the back of the net to restore England’s lead.
It was a young, fresh team that England manager Gareth Southgate fielded and they did put on a show, albeit some lapses in the final third. Although they secured three points, they would still need to work on their execution in the final third if they are to have any hopes against some of the bigger teams in the competition.
England entered the competition determined to shake off their World Cup blues. The last time England won an opening match at the World Cup was way back in 2006 where they beat Paraguay 1-0. England started strong, attacking at every opportunity, while Tunisia looked out of place, trying to get a sense of the play. Dele Alli won the ball off Tunisia’s Maloul in the 3rd minute, before passing it to Lingard, who sent a low drive on goal, but was denied by goalkeeper Hassen. England came back strongly again in the 5th minute, this time from the left side of the pitch, Dele Alli sent Lingard through with a pass. He beat goalkeeper Hassen before cutting it across to Sterling, who had an open goal in front of him, but he shot it wide. Replays showed he was offside, but that didn’t mask the fact that he failed to score a sitter. Kane took a shot at goal in the 10th minute after combining with Sterling, but it was stopped yet again by Hassen. Kane scored a few seconds later when Hassen thumped Johnson’s header right in front of Kane, who just tapped it in to give England the lead. There was a goal coming for a long time for England, who created chance after chance, but were unable to finish. Tunisia’s shot-stopper Hassen was substituted in the 14th minute after a shoulder injury and was replaced by Farouk Ben Mustapha.
The England squad had never played together before at a tournament, but they certainly packed a punch. England didn’t look like their usual nervy selves, but were much more menacing in the attack. What let them down was their inability to seize their moments in front of goal. Henderson tested Mustapha in the 18th minute but his volley from 25 yards out wasn’t enough. Tunisia’s first attack came in the 23rd minute from Bronn, but it was stopped by Sterling. England missed yet another chance in the 24th minute when Young’s cross across the far post was taken by Lingard on the volley, but he hit it wide. England’s defensive frailties were exposed in the 27th minute, when Khazri stole the ball from Maguire who was caught dilly-dallying. Fortunately for the English, nothing came off that attack and the resulting corner was fended off.
Tunisia eased themselves into the match and, in the 33rd minute, were awarded a penalty after Kyle Walker was penalised for elbowing Fakhreddine Ben Youssef. Ferjani Sassi then put the goal away to score the first African goal of the tournament. England regrouped and attacked with vigour but found very limited success in the final third. England also had a penalty appeal turned down when Harry Kane was pulled down in the box.
The second half started with much more caution from England. They seemed to lack the fizz with which they played in the first half. Tunisia, too, looked content with keeping the English at bay in the box, but failed to make any solid attempt to break on the counter. England looked like they lacked a playmaker, they dominated possession, but that was pretty much the end of the story. Kane looked set to take a shot in the 72nd minute but was denied by an excellent tackle from Syam Ben Youssef.
In the end, England took home the three points that they deserved, but they know that against a stronger team, their missed chances would have resulted in a different story altogether. Tunisia kept it together for long, but they were no match for English. Tunisia’s lone goal was thanks to a penalty and not due to any playmaking.