Tunisia 1-2 England World Cup Russia 2018: match report

Tunisia 1-2 England: match report

Harry Kane grabbed both of England's goals as they saw off a resolute but ultimately poor Tunisia side in Volgograd on Monday night. They left it late but the three points is all that matter in a tricky opener for Gareth Southgate's side.

England started off with gusto and had the lead through their captain from a corner. After 11 minutes and with an injury to Tunisia's number one, it seemed like it would be a comfortable Enland win. 

Kyle Walker caught Fakhreddine with an arm to the face in the penalty area, however, and Tunisia were awarded a penalty. Ferjani Sassi slotted it home despite Pickford's fingertips threatening to keep it out.

Tunisia backed off in the second half and didn't really deserve anything from the game. They played delicate, brave and intricate passing in the middle but had no out ball and Wahbu Khezri up front was famished for ball up top. England pressed and pressed and nearly pushed Tunisia's defence back behind the goalline but couldn't find the elusive.

That was until Kane headed home a Harry Maguire flick-on from a corner to see England win all three points in a testy and tiring affair on Monday night. They play Panama next while Belgium face Tunisia in what could be a decisive game in the group.

Tunisia vs England: live updates

Tunisia vs England: preview

Tunisia and England kick their World Cup off in Volgograd on Monday night with Southgate's first game for England in a tournament since he was a player. Kick-off from Volgograd is at 20:00 CEST. 

England manager Gareth Southgate has done his utmost to lower the expectations on his young team at the World Cup but they enter their opening Group G game against Tunisia in a mood of quiet confidence. After the humiliation of a second round exit at the hands of Iceland in Euro 2016 and their failure to get out of the group stage in Brazil four years ago, England would like a deeper run in the World Cup in Russia. They have a balanced, pacey side and could go close to toppling Belgium as Group favourites. They will rely on Spurs' duo Dele Alli and Harry Kane as their source of inspiration and Southgate seems to have them in the perfect frame of mind heading into the tournament.

Spain struggled against Tunisia and they are seen as a really capable side who can cause England problems. Wahbi Khazri had a good season at Rennes and their most creative player, Youssef Msakni, is out injured but they have the ability to push England all the way in their Group G opener.