England have opened their Euro 2016 campaign, with a 1-1 draw against Russia following a late equaliser from Russian midfielder Vasili Berezutski’s looping header.
The Three Lions took the lead in the 73rd minute with a stunning free-kick from Tottenham midfielder Eric Dier, as the English finally managed to find a way through a stubborn Russian defence.
The major question which still hangs over this English squad however if despite their relative inexperience do they have what it takes to go all the way and lift the European Championship trophy for the very first time.
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In the lead-up to the tournament plenty of speculation surrounded the make-up of the England XI for this first match, and when the first line-up of the tournament was named many questions remained.
Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling was preferred to Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy, a decision which remains a mystery as Vardy has paired with Harry Kane in pre-tournament friendlies against Turkey and Portugal, a partnership which has thus far shown signs of promise.
The decision did not pay off as Sterling struggled throughout the match, eventually being replaced by James Milner in the 87th minute.
With such a poor performance Vardy may be in the box seat to make his tournament debut when England meet rivals Wales on Thursday Night (AEST).
England dominated the opening exchanges creating a number of chances, manager Roy Hodgson will be disappointed that his side did not convert at least one of these opportunities.
If the Three Lions continue to control games, questions will be raised over their ability to take the game by the scruff of the neck on the scoresheet.
If they cannot convert their chances in the next two games against Wales and Slovakia, it could go a long way to determining if they are even to escape the group.
Going forward the English are just as dangerous from set plays as they from open play, but the decision to have Kane take corners left many pundits bamboozled.
It represents quite a strange decision from Hodgson, as the Tottenham striker has proven quite the aerial threat in the past two seasons which has seen him to become England’s number one striker.
Late in the second half captain Wayne Rooney was replaced, a decision which had an impact on the English playing style.
England’s greatest ever goal-scorer was replaced by Jack Wilshere in the centre of the park, throughout the match Rooney showed he has the ability to control the tempo of the match and highlighted his passing ability.
His performance although answered the question as to where he now fits into this England side, following a mixed season for Manchester United.
With rivals Wales up next, the English will be looking to move on quickly from the disappointment of the late equaliser in a match which may make or break their tournament.
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