England earned a narrow 1-0 away to Lithuania on Sunday night, with Jordan Henderson playing all 90 minutes and Daniel Sturridge making a late cameo.
Lithuania 0-1 England
World Cup Qualifier, LFF Stadium
October 8, 2017
Goal: Kane 28′
It was the Three Lions’ final World Cup qualifier, but with Gareth Southgate’s side’s place in Russia next summer already secured, it was a match with very little riding on it.
Southgate went with an in-fashion 3-4-3 formation, with Henderson anchoring the midfield alongside Tottenham youngster Harry Winks.
Harry Maguire couldn’t quite get on the end of an early Aaron Cresswell cross, while in-form Harry Kane fired wide from distance.
Kane put the visitors ahead in the 28th minute, firing home from the penalty spot after Dele Alli was fouled inside the area. It remained 1-0 until half-time, following a comfortable 45 minutes for Southgate’s men.
Winks was denied early in the second half, as England looked to kick on and put the game to bed, with a win never really looking in doubt.
Everton‘s Michael Keane almost diverted the ball into his own net at the other end, but Lithuania were only threatening sporadically.
Henderson nearly registered an assist after his cross was met by the head of Cresswell, but the boyhood Liverpool fan’s effort was kept out.
Sturridge was brought on in place for Marcus Rashford after 73 minutes, but the 28-year-old had a fairly low-key cameo, as the Three Lions held on.
Earlier in the day, Liverpool academy star Rhian Brewster started for England U17s in their World Cup opener against China.
The youngsters cruised to a 4-0 win, and although Brewster wasn’t among the goalscorers for once, he was heavily involved throughout.
England: Butland; Keane, Stones, Maguire; Tripper, Henderson, Winks, Cresswell; Alli (Lingard 81′), Rashford (Sturridge 72′), Kane
Subs not used: Pickford, Forster, Smalling, Cahill, Dier, Walker, Livermore, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sterling, Defoe
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