Report as 10-man England earn dramatic late win on Nations League opener
Sunday 6 September 2020 07:04, UK
England grabbed a 1-0 victory in their Nations League opener but only after Iceland missed a stoppage-time penalty in a dramatic finale in Reykjavik.
England looked to have endured a frustrating first reunion with Euro 2016 conquerors Iceland, with Harry Kane wrongfully denied an early opener before Kyle Walker was sent off for two bookable offences in the second half.
However, Raheem Sterling broke Iceland's resistance in the first minute of time added on, winning and converting a penalty to put 10-man England in front with seconds remaining.
A clumsy Joe Gomez foul on Albert Gudmundsson gifted the hosts an immediate route back, but a woeful spot-kick from former Aston Villa midfielder Birkir Bjarnason let England off the hook as Gareth Southgate's visibly fatigued side got off the mark.
Two-hundred-and-ninety-two days had passed since England last took to the field but there were no signs of ring-rust in a dominant start from Southgate's men that should have yielded an early goal.
Kane thought he had made a sixth-minute breakthrough when he turned Sterling's deep cross in at the back post, but it was wrongfully ruled out for offside, and with VAR not available for the match officials, the incorrect on-field decision stood.
Walker saw a deflected drive hit the side-netting before Declan Rice's attempt to convert Jadon Sancho's cutback resulted in the West Ham midfielder swiping at thin air from six yards.
England's early tempo gradually subsided as the first period wore on, allowing a disciplined Iceland to establish a foothold that saw them reach the interval on level terms.
Iceland doubled down after the break, limiting England to few chances, but nearly gifted the visitors the opener when Kieran Trippier's in-swinging free-kick was headed inches wide of his own goal by captain Kari Arnason.
Danny Ings was introduced on 68 minutes but, two minutes later, England's task increased in difficulty when Walker was shown a second yellow for a lunge on Arnor Ingvi Traustason.
England looked out of ideas as the seconds ticked down but were handed the chance to snatch victory when Sterling's shot at the back post was blocked by the arm of Sverrir Ingi Ingason.
The Manchester City forward, rather unconvincingly, stroked the ball down the centre of the goal as England looked to have finally got the job done, but that wasn't the end of the drama.
Seconds later, Gomez was adjudged to have fouled Gudmundsson in the area and the referee pointed to the spot for the second time in quick succession, but Bjarnason blazed horribly over of the target to preserve England the points.
England boss Gareth Southgate: "The sending off is obviously a key moment because I felt we were even more in control in the second half. It's very difficult to win games of football at any level if you're down to 10 men. That's a lesson we have to learn. It was an unnecessary red card.
"Then another lesson we have to learn, because to invite the ball as we did and defend it the way we did [for Iceland's penalty] was really poor play. In the end we get away with it."
Kyle Walker told Sky Sports: "Obviously to get sent off for your country is never a nice moment, especially being out of the team for so long.
"I have to take the blame; I am experienced player and must know I'm on a yellow card. To make a rash challenge like that is not acceptable from me.
"I'm a seasoned professional, have played a lot of games, so I should know how to manage a game on a yellow card, and I've put myself in a situation I shouldn't have been in.
"That's the sad thing about being a footballer, it does come to an end at some point, and I'm probably near the end of my international career, but I still feel very energetic and feel I have a lot left in my legs. Hopefully I will be back. It's hurting."
Phil Foden told Sky Sports: "It feels amazing, it is a dream come true. It was a very difficult game, they defended well, and we showed great character to stick in the game and luckily got the penalty at the end and scored.
"We all just tried to play our football and do what we do at our clubs, it was frustrating at times and we couldn't break them down. I play at Man City and now play for England, it is very similar, a very high standard."
England now go to Denmark on Tuesday evening at 7.45pm in the Nations League, live on Sky Sports Football and Main Event, while Iceland are away at Belgium at the same time, also live on Sky Sports Premier League.
