Harry Kane in deadly World Cup form for England, but tactical questions remain for Gareth Southgate despite late escape

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Simon Johnson19 June 2018

Harry Kane rescued England with a last-gasp header to seal a 2-1 win over Tunisia in the Three Lions' opening game of the 2018 World Cup.

Gareth Southgate could hardly have wished for a better start to this Group G clash in Volgograd, where his side capped a start displaying skill, verve and energy with an early goal from their captain.

Yet the officials managed to topple the insects as England's biggest irritant as Ferjani Sassi netted from a controversially awarded penalty that somehow was not followed up by spot-kicks at the other end as the video assistant referees ignored the manhandling of Kane.

But what Southgate's men lack in experience they make up for in spirit, with Tottenham striker Kane nodding home at the far post to clinch a dramatic late victory which sent their hardy travelling support wild.

Simon Johnson was at Volgograd Arena to assess the key talking points...

Just the start Kane would have wanted

PA

If England are going to make any kind of impact in Russia this summer, everyone knows the Tottenham striker must deliver.

Two years ago, he looked flat and fatigued and left Euro 2016 without a single goal to his name.

On the eve of England’s opening World Cup match it was clear he was in the mood to make amends, talking about how he wanted to get a hat-trick against Tunisia to draw level with Cristiano Ronaldo in the race for the Golden Boot.

He didn’t have long to wait before getting his first ever goal in a major tournament. The Spurs man was in the right place at the right time in the 11th minute to convert from the rebound.

The nature of his celebrations were a mixture of ecstatic jubilation and relief, but they were nothing compared to his late, priceless winner.

Showing the deadly accuracy that others lacked, Kane made no mistake at the far post to turn a potentially costly draw into a priceless win. England's World Cup is up and running.

So much for being ruthless

PA

Dele Alli featured on the back page of the Evening Standard earlier today saying the team must be ruthless in front of goal against Tunisia to pick up three points.

Well clearly some of his team-mates didn’t get the message because the Three Lions should have had the victory secured within 11 minutes, let alone by half-time.

The sight of Raheem Sterling tripping over the ball with the goal at his mercy inside four minutes set the tone for an extraordinary amount of wastefulness from the men in red.

Kane’s strike should have settled everyone down, but more opportunities were blown as the game went on.

An ugly shank from John Stones six minutes after Tunisia grabbed an undeserved equaliser added to the frustration, then Jesse Lingard struck a post.

Unsurprisingly, things were tougher after the break as Tunisia had something to hang on to. Their coach Nabil Maaloul had a chance to put things right and they were far better organised in the second 45.

Sterling under pressure for his place

AP

The Manchester City star has made a lot of headlines for all the wrong reasons during the build-up, some of which have been unfair.

But he won’t be able to complain too much if he is on the receiving end of criticism after this disappointing display.

There was none of the confidence on show that he regularly oozes for his club. He never recovered from the moment he wasted Jesse Lingard’s fine cross with just the keeper to beat.

Too often he gave away possession simply or ran down a blind alley where no team-mates happened to be.

Eventually, Southgate saw enough and Marcus Rashford came on with 21 minutes remaining. It was noticeable how the England coach gave Sterling a consoling hug and words of encouragement as Sterling took his place on the bench.

Rashford did show some flashes of magic in a brief amount of time and must be under consideration for Panama next time out.

Southgate may have to consider changing back three

PA

For a side that dominated long periods of this contest, England still didn’t look totally convincing at the back.

It could be argued that all three starters here, Harry Maguire, John Stones and Kyle Walker, had question marks over them for different reasons.

Southgate prefers them because of their ability to play with the ball, however the most important skill for any centre back to be judged on is their defending.

On the few times Tunisia ventured forward, the trio looked nervous. Maguire didn’t help by giving the ball away in a few dangerous areas.

Whether people believe that Walker’s challenge which gifted Tunisia an equaliser from the spot was soft or not, his swinging arm gave the referee a decision to make.

Perhaps the experience of Gary Cahill, who was unfortunate to miss out here, should come in against Panama.

England players battle midges during Tunisia match

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VAR still a mystery

AP

Forget the fact that many England fans will think Tunisia’s penalty should have been overturned, the mystery was over Harry Kane’s treatment in the African nation’s area being completely ignored.

In the pre-tournament referees briefing, a real statement of intent emerged from it suggesting that any grappling from corners and free kicks would be clamped down on.

Yet on at least two occasions Kane was seen to be blatantly held off the ball as a cross came in and yet there were no reviews of the incidents.

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