- Gareth O'Reilly
- Thu, Jun 16 2016
Report from Gareth O'Reilly live at Stade Bollaert-Delelis.
It took a late, late goal from Daniel Sturridge to secure a victory for England over their near neighbours Wales, on Thursday afternoon in Lens. A packed stadium of red and white shirts watched Gareth Bale give the underdogs the lead before Roy Hodgson’s men hit back through Jamie Vardy to set up a grandstand finish.
England dominated for the majority of the opening 40 minutes, but just three minutes short of the half time interval they managed to fall behind after Wayne Rooney gave away a free kick 30 yards out. England, having scored themselves from a free kick in their group opener against Russia, saw Real Madrid’s Bale dip a beautiful shot up and over the wall. However, it appeared that Hart had done enough when he got both hands to the ball only for the stadium to watch the ball spin right out of his hands and into the corner.
England’s starting eleven had cut frustrated figures in the opening half of the contest as they attempted to break down what was an extremely resilient backline. Frustration that was summed up on the quarter of an hour mark as Manchester United and England skipper Rooney, annoyed by his teammates lack of movement in front of him, had a pop from 30 yards out with the end result being a shot that spiralled well over the crossbar of Wayne Hennessey.
Coming into this tournament all the talk about Chris Coleman’s Welsh side was that if their opponents can simply put a stop to Bale then an easy victory would be ensured. However, until the Real Madrid front man finally got his hands on a free kick he cut an ominous, and dare I say forgotten figure, with his main involvement being to sit in the Welsh wall to defend the numerous free kicks in promising positions that England received from the match official.
The last time Wales successfully beat England was in 1982 when Mark Hughes grabbed the only goal of the game in Wrexham and at half time the realistic possibility that England may not be able to find a way through their stubborn opponent's defence seemed very plausible indeed.
Directly from the restart it was clear that England were revitalised and reenergised but still doubts remained even after Roy Hodgson introduced Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge. Then finally in the 56th minute Vardy’s alertness paid off as he poked home from three yards out after Ashley Williams, desperate to avoid an Englishman getting on the end of a corner kick, headed the ball unfortunately backwards straight at the Leicester City man.
For the proceeding twenty five minutes, the Three Lions huffed and puffed but couldn’t blow the Welsh house down even with the introduction of the lively Marcus Rashford.
Then in the second minute of the three added on, another second half substitute struck as Daniel Sturridge exchanged passes with Rooney and Dele Alli just inside the box with the latter’s brilliant falling down flick coming back to Sturridge, as he glided towards goal, before he poked the ball past Hennessy at his near post just inside the six yard box to send the English fans in attendance into delirium.
One more chance was possible but Bale failed to hit the target with the game's last shot and it was Hodgson who emerged victorious over Coleman in this derby clash. The former Liverpool boss made three excellent substitution choices to get his side over the line, although it would be hard to argue that with 67% of the possession they didn’t fully deserve it.
In getting his side over the line it has also meant that Group B has now been thrown wide open with England on top with four points, just one above Wales and Slovakia while Russia languish at the bottom with their solitary point.
England: Joe Hart, Kyle Walker, Gary Cahill, Chris Smalling, Danny Rose; Dele Alli, Eric Dier, Wayne Rooney; Adam Lallana (Marcus Rashford 73), Harry Kane (Jamie Vardy 46), Raheem Sterling (Daniel Sturridge 46).
Subs Not Used: James Milner, Nathaniel Clyne, Fraser Forster, Jordan Henderson, John Stones, Ryan Bertrand, Ross Barkley, Jack Wilshire, Tom Heaton.
Yellow Cards: None.
Wales: Wayne Hennessey, Chris Gunter, James Chester, Ashley Williams, Ben Davies, Neil Taylor; Aaron Ramsey, Joe Ledley (David Edwards 67), Joe Allen; Gareth Bale, Hal Robson-Kanu (Jonathan Williams 71).
Subs Not Used: Owain Fón Williams, Danny Ward, Andy King, George Williams, Jazz Richards, David Cotterill, Sam Vokes, James Collins, David Vaughan, Simon Church.
Yellow Cards: Ben Davies (61).
Referee: Felix Brych (GER).
Attendance: 34,033.
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Daniel Sturridge (England).
