Marcus Rashford goes from zero to hero as England beat Slovakia

England 2 Slovakia 1

England have one foot in next summer’s World Cup in Russia following yesterday's match against Slovakia - but it was another unconvincing display from the Three Lions.

In front of a crowd of less than 68,000 - the lowest Wembley attendance for an England match since 2014 - the hosts fought back from a disastrous start to move five points clear in Group F.

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A victory against Slovenia at Wembley in their next qualifier, on 5 October, would secure their place in the World Cup, but England need to make huge improvements over the next nine months to arrive in Russia as credible contenders.

Last night’s game kicked off with goal by Slovakia after barely three minutes, with Marcus Rashford giving away possession and allowing Stanislav Lobotka to open the scoring.

That goal stunned the Wembley crowd, who had hoped for a more inspired performance than Friday’s lacklustre win in Malta. But there was little energy or invention in the first-half, until Eric Dier arrived at the near post to sweep Rashford’s corner into the top of the visitors’ net eight minutes before the break.

That goal galvanised England and from then on they dominated the Slovaks. Rashford, who recovered well from his early error, put the Three Lions in front on the hour mark with a low strike past Slovakia keeper Martin Dubravka - earning the Manchester United teenager the Man of the Match award.

Yet while England created the openings for several more goals, too often players took the wrong option in front of goal, squandering opportunities that the likes of Germany and Spain rarely waste. In short, it was a display that has epitomised England over the years - with character compensating for quality.

“We didn’t start the game well, but I was pleased with the way the players reacted on the field,” said manager Gareth Southgate. “Great credit to the players for staying in the game, and then in the second half we were in control. We didn’t give them space to play.”

Goalscorer Dier conceded that England were poor for much of the first-half, saying: “We weren’t aggressive enough and were two seconds behind them in every pass. The way we turned it around was positive… when we went 1-1, we went into the dressing room and the feeling was we would go on to win.”

There was a moment of controversy in the second-half when Dele Alli raised his middle finger after a hefty challenge from Slovakia defender Martin Skrtel.

Although there were suggestions that the gesture was aimed at referee Clement Turpin, who had waved play on, Alli subsequently claimed on Twitter: “Just to clarify, the gesture tonight was a joke between me and my good friend Kyle Walker! Apologies for any offence caused!”

Nonetheless, The Daily Telegraph believes that there could be repercussions for Alli should Fifa investigate the incident and conclude that the gesture was indeed aimed at the French ref.