Euro 2016: England show real fight against Wales

England showed just enough fight and grit against Wales to secure three vital points in a hotly-contested group

Leading up to the match between England and Wales, Welsh superstar Gareth Bale threw doubt England’s way and accused them of not caring enough about winning. The Real Madrid winger claimed that England’s start couldn’t match the pride and passion that the Welsh players had in putting on their national shirt and turning out for their country.

It was clear that Bale touched a nerve as much of the talk before the match was about pride and passion rather than who was the better team on the pitch. Perhaps rightfully so as any football fan will tell you that sometimes passion and effort can win out over talent in the right situations.

England entered the match as the favorite and the pressure of it seemed to weigh down the Three Lions. They came out flat against Wales and were punished for it before half time. Possession was dominated by England and so were the chances created but that final touch was lacking.

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Bale was held in check for most of the first half but was handed a golden chance to punish England from a dead ball situation and he took it with aplomb.

Joe Hart could have done better but Bale’s free kick broke the deadlock and gave Wales reason to believe just three minutes before halftime. Roy Hodgson’s team selection was suddenly questioned as Raheem Sterling looked out of his depth and the only player showing creative intent was rightback Kyle Walker.

One major advantage England had over Wales was the depth on the bench and Hodgson wasted little time in going to his substitutes. Hodgson brought on Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge in place of Harry Kane and Sterling and they proved to be the difference in the match.

Vardy scored a scruffy equalizer from a poor clearance by Wales that was sent back in to the crowd by Sturridge and touched on by Wales defender Ashley Williams right to the Leicester striker’s feet. Much like his goals in the Premier League, Vardy’s strike came at the perfect time and gave them a lifeline back in to the game.

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Sturridge and Rooney both had good chances to secure the victory for England but the Welsh defense was dogged in their effort and they blocked several shots both inside and outside the box. Still England pressed and it was clear that the points were there for the taking.

Hodgson sent on young striker Marcus Rashford for Adam Lallana, who had himself a good match, in an attempt to overload the Welsh defense. England had three strikers on the pitch and Roy’s gamble paid off.

A nice series of passes between Sturridge, Vardy and Dele Alli found Sturridge alone in the six-yard box and he finished with authority at Wayne Hennessey’s near post. The England support was in raptures as the Three Lions wrapped up all three points with a rare stoppage time winner.

Next: Euro 2016: Marek Hamsik shines for Slovakia in win over Russia

The win gives England four points and gives them a foothold at the top of the group with four points ahead of Slovakia and Wales who have three points each. Not only was the win vital in terms of points but it gives England an incredible emotional lift ahead of their final match against a surging and dangerous Slovakia side.