England 2 Wales 1: Super-subs Daniel Sturridge and Jamie Vardy on target as England come from behind to win Group B clash
Three Lions come from behind to snatch late win with Gareth Bale and Jamie Vardy also on target
THAT was one hell of a finish.
The timing. The setting. The touch. It had everything.
Daniel Sturridge’s dance moves had barely begun before he was submerged by England’s players and coaching staff.
It was tempting — so, so tempting — to join in with them.
Sturridge thanked God for the chance. We must thank Roy Hodgson.
What a way to sort out Wales, waiting until added-on time before Sturridge poked England’s winner beyond Wayne Hennessey.
It happened in slow motion, with Sturridge starting it off by flicking the ball with the outside of his left boot and finishing with his right.
England coach Neville races to celebrate with the side after Daniel Sturridge struck in stoppage time to snatch a late win over Wales
Somewhere between, Jamie Vardy and Dele Alli made the magic happen with clever, improvised footwork inside Wales’ penalty area.
What happened next was special, the moment when supporters and players bonded for the first time since the 3-2 win in Berlin.
From the stands the throaty roar of England’s fans could be heard for miles around this tiny French city.
“I just don’t wanna go to work, I wanna stay here and drink all your beer, please don’t take me home . . .” they sang. Over and over again.
No one is going home, not just yet anyway, after Sturridge engineered this exhilarating victory over the noisy neighbours.
Gareth Bale called it on before the game. But England did their talking in the second half.
Wales more patriotic? Then witness Joe Hart screaming an apology to England fans and repeatedly kissing the Three Lions badge at full-time.
Wales more passionate? Then look at Gary Neville sprinting 50 yards to leap on a crowd of players after Sturridge’s winner.
Against Russia last Saturday, Hodgson dug his heels in and refused to send on England’s strikers. It was not a pretty sight.
That night in Marseilles he looked well past his sell-by date.
When he appeared to explain his subs yesterday, he looked like a man who has been on the Botox.
It always helps when it works, and work it did.
Vardy scored England’s equaliser after 56 minutes, reacting first when Wales failed to clear Sturridge’s teasing cross from the left.
Wales appealed for offside but their captain Ashley Williams had touched it on towards Vardy.
That was the leveller but Hodgson wanted to win. So did his players.
Marcus Rashford, who scored on his debut against Australia, replaced Adam Lallana with 18 minutes left.
This was the Neil Warnock School of Management, sending for striker after striker after striker.
It was ruthless, with disappointing Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling already sacrificed at the break.
We may not see them start again, not for a while anyway.
Hodgson’s move came after Bale put Wales in front with a dipping, swerving free-kick from 34 yards. Still, it should never have gone in.
Hart expected something special when the Wales forward stood hands on his hips Cristiano-style.
Bale wellied it, but the ball only went into the net because flipper fingers was ready for something with a bit more zip on it.
That put Wales in wonderland, with their brilliant supporters belting out “England’s going home” to the tune of Three Lions.
It looked like they were right — we were not creative enough and we were not positive enough.
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Lallana has never scored in 25 caps. Then there is Kane, unlikely to get a third Euro 2016 start against Slovakia on Monday.
Chris Coleman’s players looked good for another famous win — until Hodgson’s changes gave Sturridge the platform he needs.
Big players come through for you and Sturridge did just that.
Against Slovakia, he can start and then finish the qualifying job.
DREAM TEAM RATINGS
ENGLAND: Hart 5, Walker 7, Cahill 8, Smalling 7, Rose 8, Alli 7, Dier 7, STAR MAN ROONEY 9, Lallana 7 (Rashford 73, 6), Kane 6 (Vardy, 45, 6), Sterling 6 (Sturridge 45, 8).
WALES: Hennessey 6, Chester 6, Williams 6, Davies 6, Gunter 6, Ledley 6 (Edwards 67, 6), Allen 6, Taylor 7, Ramsey 6, Robson-Kanu 6 (Williams 72, 6), Bale 7. Booked: Davies.
(Dream Team ratings compiled using Opta data)
Captain Rooney said: “First half we did OK but have to move the ball quicker. The manager made some positive changes and it paid off for us.
“We kept the ball well and kept probing and got the goal in the end.
"We know as a group of players we are not just an 11-man team, we have a full squad here and it shows just what a good squad we have.
“It was a great feeling to win the game like we did, it will almost qualify us now and we have to win the game on Monday.
“It was a great win, but a fully deserved one.”
England midfielder Lallana added: “These are the games you want to be in, repping your country at a major tournament."
“The gaffer made a couple of changes and they both got on the scoresheet
“The pitch was a bit dry at half-time we said we would quicken things up with combinations. We kept plugging away and got one in the last minute.
“After conceding in the last minute against Russia it was nice to get one that late.
“England v Wales is a massive occasion but only wanted to do our talking on the pitch
“It’s a great position to be in we can’t wait for Monday.”
