Harry Kane strikes as England beat Nigeria at Wembley

(Source)


First-half goals from Gary Cahill and Harry Kane gave England a 2-1 win over Nigeria in a World Cup wram-up friendly at Wembley.

Gareth Southgate's side began brightly and were close to taking the lead after six minutes when Kieran Trippier took aim from a free kick and Francis Uzoho pushed his strike around the post.

But the Nigeria keeper was beaten from the resulting corner as Gary Cahill rose to send a header beyond him and the defender on the line.

England, putting together some slick passing, were close to adding to their lead after 13 minutes when Raheem Sterling dinked the ball past the post, and Ashley Young soon saw a shot blocked after a Sterling cutback.

As the half-hour approached, Victor Moses had half a chance when an Odion Ighalo strike deflected to him, but England snuffed out the danger and, at the other end, Jesse Lingard's shot was saved.

Sterling thumped over before, with 39 minutes gone, England doubled their advantage when he touched the ball to Kane, whose shot found a way through Uzoho.

Nigeria made four changes at the break, taking off Ogenyi Onazi, Joel Obi, Shehu Abdullahi and Leon Balogun and bringing on Oghenekaro Etebo, John Ogu, Kenneth Omeruo and Tyronne Ebuehi.

And within two minutes of the restart they were back in the game, Ighalo thumping an effort against the far post and Alex Iwobi scoring from the rebound.

With 52 minutes gone, Sterling was booked for diving as keeper Uzoho came out to meet him when Lingard played the ball through, and then an Alli pass almost played Lingard in before Moses fired over for Nigeria.

Moses came off to be replaced by Ahmed Musa and England changes followed soon afterwards, Ruben Loftus-Cheek replacing Lingard and Danny Rose on for Ashley Young.

Loftus-Cheek was quickly into the action, sending in a cross that was just too high for Kane, and as the game approached the final quarter of an hour, Marcus Rashford replaced Raheem Sterling and Kane made way for Danny Welbeck.

Ighalo was replaced by Kelechi Iheneacho as the flurry of changes continued, with Fabian Delph then arriving for England in place of Alli.

Rashford headed over from an angle with time running out, but England held on to secure the win despite a disjointed second-half showing.