Harry Maguire thundered dwelling a late winner as England beat Poland 2-1 on Wednesday to grab management of their World Cup qualifying group with three wins from three. Captain Harry Kane gave Gareth Southgate’s males a first-half lead from the penalty spot however they pale at an empty Wembley and had been punished when Jakub Moder struck after a defensive howler from John Stones. England appeared prone to drop their first factors of the marketing campaign earlier than Manchester United defender Maguire saved Stones’s blushes with 5 minutes remaining after an help from the Manchester Metropolis man.
The nervy win means England prime Group I with 9 factors after comfy wins earlier within the worldwide window towards San Marino and Albania.
Solely the group that finishes prime of the group are assured a spot on the World Cup finals in Qatar subsequent yr.
“We had been excellent within the first half, we had been in command of the sport and to concede a aim like we did can hit the group,” Southgate advised ITV.
“They caught at it, they recovered their composure and acquired an necessary set-play winner.”
The England boss praised Stones for bouncing again after his probably pricey error, including: “You possibly can fold in these moments and he did not.”
– Lewandowski out –
The guests, who haven’t overwhelmed England since 1973, had been lacking injured Bayern Munich sharpshooter Robert Lewandowski and had been depleted following a coronavirus outbreak within the camp.
England made only one change from the facet that began Sunday’s match in Tirana, with Chelsea full-back Ben Chilwell coming in for Manchester United’s Luke Shaw.
The house facet took the lead their soccer deserved within the nineteenth minute after Raheem Sterling charged into the field and was upended by Barnsley defender Michal Helik.
Kane smashed the spot-kick down the center, giving Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny no likelihood.
In doing so, he turned England’s all-time main penalty scorer with 10 targets from the spot — transferring one away from Frank Lampard.
The aim compelled Poland to be extra proactive however Raheem Sterling was a relentless hazard on the left facet of the England assault, almost organising the energetic Phil Foden after which happening a slaloming run into the opposition penalty space.
Szczesny made a nice save from a strong Kane shot as England tried to show the screw however for all their dominance, they had been compelled to accept a 1-0 lead on the break.
The house facet had been once more in management in the beginning of the second half however didn’t create clear openings and the guests equalised towards the run of play after Stones was caught in possession.
The Metropolis defender, who has been in nice kind this season, was in no hazard when he obtained the ball on the precise facet of the England penalty space however Brighton midfielder Moder robbed him and completed emphatically after amassing an Arkadiusz Milik return go.
Substitute Milik headed large when introduced with an opportunity as England struggled to recapture their earlier rhythm towards their galvanised opponents.
England huffed and puffed however Southgate stayed affected person, refusing to show to the substitutes’ bench.
Promoted
He was rewarded when Maguire completed powerfully after central defensive associate Stones headed a nook again throughout aim.
Defeat for Poland leaves them fourth within the group behind England, Hungary and Albania.
