England vs Slovakia as it happened: Eric Dier and Marcus Rashford goals see hosts home after shaky start
England 2 Slovakia 1: Re-live all the action from the World Cup qualifier at Wembley
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Your support makes all the difference.England sit atop their World Cup qualifying group as things stand, but Slovakia are hot on their heels in second place. With just two points separating the sides, an England defeat would see them relinquish their place at the top of Group F with just two further fixtures remaining.
Friday’s edgy win over Malta did little to convince anyone that England are home and dry as they attempt to stay ahead of the chasing pack. The previous qualifying match between England and Slovakia was a narrow and unconvincing win for the Three Lions in Trnava, with Adam Lallana’s last-minute winner sealing victory for Sam Allardyce in his first – and only – match as England boss.
Gareth Southgate will not allow his players to lose focus, especially given Slovakia’s excellent recent form in Group F. After two losses at the start of the qualifying campaign, they have bounced back to win all five of their last qualifiers, including an excellent performance against Slovenia on Friday.
Follow all the live action below...
What time does it start?
England vs Slovakia kicks off at 7.45pm.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on ITV from 7:15pm.
It’s a big game for…
Raheem Sterling: Despite a good start to the season with Manchester City, there is a lingering sense with Sterling that he is yet to perform for England in big games. A quiet and ineffectual display against Malta on Friday – in which he squandered a clear early chance – has only galvanised the doubters.
Best stat…
0: The number of times Slovakia have beaten England, either in competitive matches or in friendlies, since the country’s formation in 1993.
Remember when…
England captain David Beckham’s free-kick sailed straight into the net during their opening Euro 2004 qualifying match in 2002. Sven Goran Eriksson’s men went on to win 2-1 in Bratislava.
Player to watch…
Jordan Henderson: The Liverpool skipper has stated his intention to don the captain’s armband during the World Cup. A commanding display of leadership here – against a Slovakia side keen to upset the applecart – will do his chances no harm.
Past three meetings…
Slovakia 0 England 1 (Lallana), World Cup qualifying, September 2016
Slovakia 0 England 0, European Championships, June 2016
England 4 (Heskey, Rooney, Rooney, Lampard) Slovakia 0, International Friendly, March 2009
Form guide…
England: DLWDLW
Slovakia: DLLWWW
Odds…
England to win: 4/11
Slovakia to win: 15/2
Draw: 7/2
(Odds provided by 888 Sport)
Lovely hit from the United forward as he atones for that early mistake. Henderson charges forwards and lays it off to the youngster on the right hand edge of the Slovakia box. He unleashes one towards the far post and it dips and swerves into the net.
62 min: Alli gets a shot away but Slovakia captain Martin Skrtel manages to get enough on it and it's an easy save for Dubrovka. Can England capitalise on this good spell?
64 min: Slovakia with a good chance. The ball falls to Hubacan around 16 yards out after a half-cleared corner but the full-back - on his wrong foot - smashes the ball into the ground and it flies over. Bit of a let off for England.
66 min: Rashford looked unlucky not to win a free-kick. The United man ran from deep but was matched for pace by Pekarik who looked like he tripped the England youngster. Referee Clement Turpin having none of it though.
SUBS: A couple of changes for the visitors as Weiss and Nemec go off for Rusnak and Duris.
71 min: Rashford - from a full 30 yards - smashes a free-kick goalwards but it's shanked way off to the right. "Like one of my golf shots," quips Glenn Hoddle on commentary. I know the feeling...
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