England claimed a last gasp 1-0 victory over Slovakia in their opening World Cup 2018 encounter.
Sam Allardyce’s debut as England manager saw the former Hammers boss plump for a rather familiar starting XI to what was seen in Euro 2016, the performance sadly wasn’t much better than what was seen over in France months prior.
England’s key players Sterling and Kane clearly looked short of confidence and Wayne Rooney, frustrating fans alike, looked ineffectual in a deep role.
The Three Lions struggled with their fellow Euro’s opponents throughout, only mustering their first shot on target 65 minutes in, an opportunity perhaps only opening itself up when former Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel’s saw red after 57th-minutes for a stamp on Harry Kane.
Faced with 10-men, England persevered despite an apparent lack of confidence and nouse. However, with the match deep in injury-time, the impressive Adam Lallana popped up to deliver Allardyce his much wanted debut win with a quickly taken finish past between the opposition keepers legs – naturally pandemonium on the bench ensued.
England now face up to group fixtures against Malta and Slovenia in October, all before a November match up against the old enemy Scotland.
Here’s the best of the match photos.
(More to come)