FIFA World Cup: Kane Double Gives England Victory Over Tunisia

England’s Harry Kane celebrates after scoring a goal against Tunisia.

(Photo: AP)

• England beat Tunisia 2-1 in a Group G match at the FIFA World Cup.
  
• Harry Kane scored a brace for England, while Ferjani Sassi scored a penalty for Tunisia.
  

England captain Harry Kane scored twice including a stoppage-time winner as he led his side to a last-gasp 2-1 win over Tunisia in their opening World Cup match on Monday.

Kane stooped at the far post to turn in a header in the 91st minute just when it looked like England were going to extend their disappointing run in World Cup tournaments.

Kane had put England ahead in the 11th minute of the Group G game when Tunisia keeper Mouez Hassen could only palm a strong header by John Stones on to the foot of the striker.

England promised to launch their campaign with attacking football and they tore into Tunisia before and after Kane's opener, creating a string of chances only to be let down by a lack of composure in front of goal.

They paid the price when the North Africans were awarded a penalty before the break.

Tunisia’s Ferjani Sassi, right, kisses the pitch as he celebrates a goal.(Photo: AP)

England defender Kyle Walker swung an arm behind him and caught Fakhreddine Ben Youssef in the face and Colombia referee Wilmar Roldan pointed to the spot.

Ferjani Sassi, after appearing to whisper a prayer to himself, scored low to the right of England keeper Jordan Pickford to equalise.

After the break, England struggled to maintain the intensity of the opening period and Tunisia looked more comfortable as they contained their opponents' attack until Kane's winner.

From a Kieran Trippier corner, a glancing header from Harry Maguire found Kane at the back post and he cleverly nodded home to give England a winning start.

The result means Belgium top Group G on goal difference after a 3-0 over World Cup debutants Panama earlier on Monday.

England’s Harry Kane celebrates the victory over Tunisia with his teammates.(Photo: AP)

England captain Harry Kane hailed their victory over Tunisia as "massive".

It’s massive. I am so proud of the lads. We kept going. We spoke a lot about togetherness and we’ve got a great bond together. There were a lot of decisions against us and maybe there was a bit of justice at the end. That’s the World Cup. It’s tough.

Harry Kane

After Belgium thrashed Panama in the other Group G game, the pressure was on England to deliver only their second win in their last nine games at World Cups.

It’s a massive boost, a massive bonus, we kept going. We kept fighting and got the late goal and a big win. I felt positive at 1-1, the pace did drop off a bit. We had to keep creating chances, we didn’t play as well second half but they defended deep. Winning the first game is always massive.

Jordan Henderson

England manager Gareth Southgate was delighted with his team.

I think we deserved the win. We had total control of the game in the second half and we stayed patient. I am really pleased and even if we had drawn the game I would have been really proud of the performance.

Gareth Southgate

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