An incredible injury time goal from substitute Daniel Sturridge sealed England’s victory against Wales in Euro 2016 Group B encounter at the Stade Felix Bollaert-Delelis in Lens on Thursday.
England went down in the 42nd minute as Gareth Bale whipped in a thunderous strike from a free-kick 35 yards out. The Three Lions responded after half-time as Vardy tapped in a first time strike to beat the goalkeeper. Daniel Sturridge put the game to bed for England in the dying minutes of injury time as he fired the ball to the bottom left corner which took Hennessey by surprise.
England pushed the tempo right from the kick-off and almost scored in the 7th minute but Raheem Sterling’s shot went way over the bar. Lallana took the charge and rushed in down the right flank before whipped in a perfect cross to pick Sterling inside the box. The Man City striker launched a shot at goal from a sliding effort which went way over the bar.
Half way down in the first half both the teams looked to keep possession and focussed more on working down the ball in short passes.
Harry Kane had a chance to deliver from a free-kick in the 22nd minute but his right footed shot from outside the box went high into the stands.
England appealed for a penalty in the 32nd minute but the referee did right to overrule their appeal as the hand ball inside the box was unintentional. Sterling rushed in from the right wing and whipped in a cross inside the crowded box. The ball took a deflection from the hand of Davies but there was certainly no intent there.
England dominated possession and looked threatening as they worked the ball in circles all over the pitch and rushed down the flanks to pose problems for the Welsh back-line. Wales played way too deep at their end and were successful in blocking England’s chances of taking an early lead.
Gareth bale opened the account for Wales in the 42nd minute as he fired a dipping 35-yard-free-kick over the wall into the bottom corner to deny a lame diving effort from Joe Hart.
Hodgson felt the urgency and made two quick substitutions at half-time. Daniel Sturridge came in for Raheem Sterling and Leicester City star Jamie Vardy replaced Harry Kane.
England came back strong after half time and dominated through the wings. The Three lions controlled the midfield with Walker taking the charge down the right flank.
England looked threatening as they were successful in pumping the ball into the opposition box at several occasions but lacked the finishing as Wales defended deep down in order to hold on to their lead.
Vardy brings England back in the game as he scores 1-1 #ENGWAL pic.twitter.com/Td4hH8bfet
— ThePLClub (@ThePLClub) June 16, 2016
Jamie Vardy clinched the equaliser for England from a close range finish in the 55th minute to bring them back into the game. A terrific build-up from England pumped in a cross into the crowded penalty area. Williams fumbled in his clearance, and worked the ball towards Vardy who lashed the ball towards the the top right corner.
England continued to raid the Wales penalty area with crosses and shots. Sturridge took the charge with his sharp twists and turns to scoop in space through a strong Welsh back-line. Walker initiated some terrific counters down the right flank with Rooney and Dele Alli supporting him from the middle and left.
Wales had a golden opportunity in the 75th minute but Gareth Bale’s headed attempt from the centre of the box towards the near post went inches wide to the right.
Rooney had a brilliant chance to put England ahead in the 78th minute but some terrific resistance from Williams and Chester inside the Welsh penalty box cut out his effort. Rooney deceived Ramsey with a sharp turn on the edge of the box before scooping in a curler into the bottom corner. But his shot was blocked by the defensive duo who threw their bodies down deny the Manchester United striker.
#lfc's Daniel Sturridge gave #eng a 2-1 win over #wal with this 92nd minute goal: pic.twitter.com/ucUHPb0DUz
— FootballGIFs (@GIFsFootie) June 16, 2016
The Three Lions maintained the pressure on the Welsh back-line and Daniel Sturridge scored the second in the dying minutes of the injury time to tutn the tables for England in a dramatic fashion. Sturridge controlled the ball at the edge of the penalty area and played a quick one-two with Alli before pouncing into the crowded penalty area to squeeze the ball into the near post past the goalkeeper.
England's Daniel Sturridge absolutely LOVED his late winner against Wales.https://t.co/u7XV1XuqwH#ENGWAL
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 16, 2016
