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England greater than rest of Britain
LENS: Substitute Daniel Sturridge stabbed home a dramatic winner in stoppage time to steer England towards a 2-1 win over Wales and top spot in their Euro 2016 group
LENS: Substitute Daniel Sturridge stabbed home a dramatic winner in stoppage time to steer England towards a 2-1 win over Wales and top spot in their Euro 2016 group on Thursday.
A goal down to Wales at half-time after Gareth Bale struck a wonderful free kick from 30 metres, England manager Roy Hodgson brought on forwards St ur ridge and Jamie Var dy, whom many fans had wanted to see start the game, to replace the ineffectual Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane.
It turned out to be a pivotal change as Vardy, England’s Footballer-of-the-Year in the Premier League this season for his goal-scoring at champions Leicester City, grabbed an equaliser in the 56th minute.
Then, with England piling on the pressure in the dying seconds, Sturridge scrambled his way through the box to fire home the winner from close range.
The result left England at the top of Group B on four points, ahead of Wales and Slovakia on three and Russia bottom with just one point.
“It’s a great feeling, unbelievable ,” Sturridge said .“I’ m grateful for the opportunity. It’s only one more game in the group so no-one should get too excited. But it was an amazing feeling. It’s great to help the boys win the game.”
Wales would have won the group with victory, but instead they will meet Russia in their final game with their destiny still very much in their own hands.
“Obviously, we’re massively disappointed but I’m proud of everyone. Inside, we still feel strong, we still feel happy,” said Wales goal-scorer Bale.
“We’re enjoying it and the tournament’s not over yet. We’re still in the thick of it. We’ll keep fighting all the way to qualify, and the fans have been amazing once again.”
England dominated most of the first half and Sterling could have put them ahead as early as the seventh minute, but he skied the ball over the bar from close range, and it did not get any better from there on for the Manchester City wing er.
With Wayne Rooney dropping deep to pull the strings in mid field, England sought to make the most of the space behind the Welsh full backs, but their final ball into the box was often a poor one.
