Euro 2016: England 2 - 1 Wales: Vardy and Sturridge Prove Crucial In Vital England Victory

 

Euro 2016: England 2  - 1 Wales: Vardy and Sturridge Prove Crucial In Vital England Victory

 

When it came down to it, two of the players that should have been started by Roy Hodgson won England three points that they desperately needed to launch themselves to the top of Group B. Jamie Vardy scored in the 56th minute of the game to cancel out Gareth Bale's 30-yard in the 42nd minute, which Joe Hart should have easily saved, and then Daniel Sturridge played a rushed 1-2 with Dele Alli in the 92nd minute to score and gain a not only vital win but a historic win, which saw England come back to win a tournament game when losing at half-time.

 

Now, let's get one thing straight.

 

I'm so glad that England won and have a massive four points going into their final game against Slovakia on Monday. However, we mustn't go crazy with praise for Roy Hodgson for his two half-time chances (Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge for Raheem sterling and Harry Kane) as around 99 percent of England fans in the pub watching, or at home, would have said that Vardy and Sturridge needed to start, let alone by bloody involved at some point of the game. Now, the media will mill over the 'genius' of Roy Hodgson for the next few days but we have learnt that when fans' favourites such as Vardy are given an opportunity to shine, they can take it and stake a claim for the Starting XI (although Vardy should be starting ahead of Sterling).

 

In regards to Wales, it's a shame for them to concede in the last minute of the game but they most have known that trying to sustain the England pressure for ninety minutes, whilst offering little in attack could massively backfire (as it eventually did). They had clearly come with confidence from their win over Slovakia but when you have 31% possession and only two shots on target, you can expect a very, very long and hard game. However, I do think they will qualify for the last 16 along with England. 

 

What's next for both teams?

 

England head to the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, in Saint-Etienne, to face Slovakia on Monday where they could earn automatic qualification with a point and Wales must beat Russia at the Stadium Municipal, in Toulouse, on Monday, at the same time, to guarantee a top-two finish.

 

 

 

 

 

Daniel Sturridge scores the winner to send England top of Group B.