Harry Maguire defeated England’s Poland 2–1 to win control of their World Cup qualifying group with three out of three wins. Captain Harry Kane gave Gareth Southgate’s men a first-half lead from the penalty spot, but fell to an empty Wembley and were punished when he was hit by Jacob Moder after a defensive hurler from John Stones. Manchester United defender Maguire saved the Stones’ blush for five minutes after an assist from a Manchester City man before England gave up their first points of the campaign.
A nervous win means England top Group I with nine points after an already easy win in the international window against San Marino and Albania.
The team that topped the group has been guaranteed a place in the final of the World Cup to be held in Qatar next year.
“We were very good in the first half, we were in control of the game and could score goals just like we hit the team to score a goal,” Southgate told ITV.
“They stuck to it, reclaimed their composition and gained an important set-play winner.”
The England boss praised the Stones after their potentially costly error, saying, “You can fold in those moments and they didn’t.”
– Lewandowski out –
Visitors, who have not beaten England since 1973, were missing Bayern Munich sharpshooter Robert Lewandowski and ended up in the camp due to a coronovirus outbreak.
England made only one change since the start of Sunday’s match at Tirana, with Chelsea full-back Ben Chilwell coming in for Manchester United’s Luke Shaw.
The home team led their football in the 19th minute after Rahman Sterling charged into the box and was picked up by Barnsley defender Micheal Helick.
Kane hit a spot-kick in between to give Poland’s goalkeeper Wojciech Szczycny no chance.
After doing so, he became England’s all-time leading penalty scorer, scoring 10 goals by chance – a clear move from Frank Lampard.
The goal forced Poland to become more active, but Rahm Sterling was a constant threat from the left side of the England attack, setting up an almost lively Phil Foden and then going on a slalmaning run in the opposition penalty area.
Szcasny made a fine save from a powerful ken shot as England tried to twist the punches but for all their dominance, they were forced to take a 1-0 lead at the break.
At the start of the second half, the home team was again in control but failed to make a clear opening and after the Stones took possession, the spectators drew against the run of play.
The City defender, who is in superb form this season, was in no danger when he got the ball to the right of England’s penalty area but was robbed by Brighton midfielder Modar and emphatically completed after collecting a return pass by Arcadius Milic did.
When England struggled to regain their earlier rhythm against their galvanized opponents, Subs Milit took a wide lead.
England cried foul but Southgate was patient, refusing to bend Patron’s back.
Promoted
He was rewarded when Maguire finished powerfully after central defensive partner Stones took over a corner behind the goal.
The defeat for Poland leaves them in fourth place in the group behind England, Hungary and Albania.
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