Playing for 90
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Breaking down England’s World Cup adventure in Russia

By James Westwood

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 11: Players of England applaud their fans following their loss to Croatia in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between England and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 11, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 11: Players of England applaud their fans following their loss to Croatia in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between England and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 11, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /
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VOLGOGRAD, RUSSIA – JUNE 18: Harry Kane of England celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group G match between Tunisia and England at Volgograd Arena on June 18, 2018 in Volgograd, Russia. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
VOLGOGRAD, RUSSIA – JUNE 18: Harry Kane of England celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group G match between Tunisia and England at Volgograd Arena on June 18, 2018 in Volgograd, Russia. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images) /

TUNISIA – Group G, matchday 1
Final score: 2-1

England’s first game in Russia was to be against the well organised African giants Tunisia, who were making their 5th appearance in a World Cup finals. They had qualified comfortably and impressed against Spain in a narrow pre-tournament friendly defeat.

However, The 3 lions went into the match as overwhelming favourites, with Southgate employing a 3-5-2 formation which would become a running theme in the competition and signal his refreshing intent to attack in numbers.

An enthralling opening 30 minutes saw Harry Kane open the scoring, as Southgate watched his side dominate the early proceedings. Alli, Lingard, Sterling and Henderson bossed the midfield and played some wonderful quick, flowing football which bamboozled the Tunisian defence.

Kieran Trippier and Ashley Young were getting forward to great effect, particularly the former, who showed several early signs of his fantastic crossing ability. Chances kept coming but a lack of clinical finishing allowed Tunisia back into the game.

After 35 minutes, Walker sent a flailing arm back into Ben Youssef when defending a cross which gave Sassi the chance to score from the spot and he duly obliged.

From that point onwards the game became a cagey affair. England enjoyed more possession but struggled to carve out decent openings and as the 90-minute mark approached, so too did the prospect of a disappointing draw.

But in injury time, Harry Kane had the final say, heading home at the back post from a corner flicked on by Harry Maguire, which sent the country into raptures and set England off to a winning start.

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