England halted Wales’ maiden Euro tour, snatching a scruffy win in added time. After Gareth Bale smashed in yet another wonder-free kick, substitutes Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge both scored, Sturridge’s at the death, to seal England’s first win in their last six tournament matches.
Wales were unlucky not to take at least one point here, in spite of the peppering England applied to Wayne Hennessey in the Welsh goal. The opening goal was as much a result of Joe Hart’s horridly limp wrists as it was Bale’s ball-striking. The Manchester City No.1 will want to erase that particular moment from his mind, and his teammates made up for his clanger.
As for Chris Coleman and Wales, well, it was a truly harrowing result, considering how close they were to taking four points from their opening two games. Both teams still have excellent prospects in the group, with Wales’ match with Russia now a must-win.
Here’s a comprehensive overview of every player on the pitch:
England
Hart – 5: Continuing the theme of the tournament, was beaten far too easily by Bale’s free kick, having got a limp hand to the ball.
Walker – 7: Charged down the touchline with vigour, beating Taylor for pace multiple times, but his crossing was haphazard.
Smalling – 7: The main threat from English set pieces. Battled Bale well, in the air and on the turf.
Cahill – 6: Appeared a little sluggish on the ball in the first half, losing possession. Improved in the second.
Rose – 6: Rarely linked up with Sterling in the first half. Grew in stature in the second, but his crossing was usually wayward.
Dier – 7: Diligent defensively, which is all Hodgson asks. Was utterly absent from anything positive in attack.
Alli – 6: Started tussling with Ramsey immediately, the Euros’ own miniature North London Derby in midfield. Was a little subdued, for most of the match.
Rooney – 7: Sidled across the belt of the pitch, picking up possession and laying it off, not always accurately. Relieved Kane of corner duties. Active, if not decisive.
Lallana – 6: Appeared energised and willing, if a little over-complicated on the ball. Substituted in the second half.
Sterling – 5: Missed a golden chance in the sixth minute, skying a perfectly centred Lallana ball. Was ineffective and flaky, and was removed at the break.
Kane – 5: Was largely uninvolved in the first half, and was removed at half time for Jamie Vardy. A terribly impotent display.
Substitutes
Vardy – 7: Scored the equaliser ten minutes after coming on, preying on Williams’ misguided header.
Sturridge – 7: Mishit a clear chance, twanging badly. Saw a lot of the ball, but didn’t capitalise until the first minute of added time, when he snatched three points for England.
Rashford – 7: Took some time to find his touch, and the game was in it’s dying embers by that stage.
Wales
Hennessey – 6: Was positioned perfectly to save Cahill’s glancing header early. Punched strongly. Might have guarded his near post a little more closely for England’s winner.
Gunter – 7: Forced Sterling into a first half performance so poor, the Englishman was removed at halftime.
Williams – 6: Stood firm in the face of a barrage of corners. Desperately unlucky to accidentally set up Vardy’s equaliser.
Davies – 7: Wily with his levering of England attackers off the ball. Tackled well, and hard.
Chester – 7: Largely error-less, and cleared his lines dutifully.
Taylor – 5: Found keeping up with Kyle Walker a tall order, and was beaten often.
Allen – 7: Gave vital poise to the Welsh midfield, in the precious moments they had possession. Was an excellent defensive rover.
Ledley – 6: A little too eager in the tackle, fouling often, but set an assertive tone in the middle. Was replaced after the hour mark, after a knock.
Ramsey – 7: Typically industrious and snappy early, needling the England players into errors.
Bale – 8: Slammed in an astonishing free kick, from a barely believable distance, giving Wales the lead. Worked hard defensively, obviously a priority.
Robson-Kanu – 7: Offered muscle and hustle up front. Toiled, with little tangible effect in an attacking sense. Replaced with 20 minutes remaining.
Substitutes
Edwards – 6: Replaced Ledley’s steel with more of the same, but couldn’t ultimately stop England from probing constantly.
J. Williams – 6: Ran hard and harried admirably, but was an attacking non-factor, arriving as he did when Wales were solely defending.
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