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)
74 min: Gary Cahill has a few choice words for the sub Duris after a tangle in the box.
76 min: There are 15 minutes to go and England are in control but Gareth Southgate would surely like another goal to make it safe. Will he look to his bench for inspiration?
81 min: Oxlade-Chamberlain with a winding run down the right, he cuts inside but can't get a meaningful shot away. A frustrating night for the Liverpool man.
SUB... and just as we say that it's the Ox who makes way for Raheem Sterling. Rashford also goes off for Danny Welbeck and gets a warm ovation from the Wembley crowd.
Eight minutes of normal time left.
84 min: Lively start from Sterling as he runs at the Slovakia defence and gets a left-footed shot away. Dubrovka saves again.
87 min: There's a curious lack of urgency from the visitors who could really do with at least a point to keep their chances of qualification alive.
Marcus Rashford is awarded man of the match by the ITV commentary team.
90 min: Sterling nearly steals in on goal but - *shock horror* - has an awful first touch and gives it away. We've got three minutes of added time. Can England hold on... or will they grab a third?
90+2 min: Sterling wins a corner and England are in no rush to take it. Dier plays it back to Walker an it makes its way around the whole defence. Alli and Sterling link up nicely but the City man can do little with it. Dier lucky not to get a second yellow for a subsequent foul.
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