Harry Kane delivered the goods to send England to the World Cup in Russia next year. With only 2 games remaining, England needed a minimum of 2 points, but took all 3 thanks to a 94th minute winner from the England captain.
Captain Kane celebrates after scoring England's winner
England dominated possession and should have been comfortable winners, but again their attacking prowess failed in the final third of the pitch. In fact, it was Slovenia who had the first chance, when Josip Ilicic was brought down in the area.
The referee said no penalty, but it was a warning for England that SLovenia weren't just there to make the numbers up.
England weren't without their chances, however. A long range effort from Kane was comfortably saved by Oblak. Then a few minutes later an inswinging cross to the near post from Rashford only needed to be touched in by Cahill, who was only 3 yards out, but somehow he missed it and the Atletico Madrid keeper gathered the ball comfortably.
Cahill just needed to a touch to give England an early lead
England's best chance of the first half fell to Jordan Henderson on the 25th minute. A well placed low-driven shot to the far post was again well saved by Oblak. It seemed like it was going to be another frustrating night for the Three Lions. And so the first half quietly went on with no real energy or clear chances on goal, and the fans that were there booed as the teams went in for the break.
It has been this way watching England for a while now. Their star-studded Premier League line-up usually flatters to decieve, and even though they comfortably top their qualifying group, they haven't exactly set the footballing world on fire.
The second half was a bit livelier, but nowehere near the cut and thrust we are accustomed to watching in the Premier League every weekend.
In the 62nd minute Marcus Rashford was put through on goal and duly chipped the keeper, only for his effort to be cleared off the line. Then 2 minutes later another attack saw the ball drop kindly for Raheen Sterling. From just inside the area, the City man saw his well placed effort cleared by Slovenia captain Bostjan Cesar.
Raheem Sterling had chances to put England ahead
Harry Kane then had a chance to open the scoring when his left foot effort was scuffed and dragged wide of the far post. It was better from England, and the crowd began to sense a winner was coming.
But the frustration of the night constantly lingered as England's seeming lack of urgence started to anger the crowd. Then, Slovenia almost went one up on 83 minutes, when Krhin put Matavz through on goal, but Joe Hart, who didn't have much to do all night, beat the Slovenia forward to the ball.
And so it looked like it was going to be an uneventful draw. Deep into injury time on the right wing, Kyle Walker put a fine low cross into the six yard box, and Harry Kane beat the Slovenia defender to slide the ball home for England and book their place on the plane to Russia next summer.
Harry Kane celebrates after confirming England's place at Russia 2018
There wasn't many fans left in the ground at that time. Rather than endure more painful viewing they probably decided to beat the crowd and get the tube to the pub to wash down a frustrating night. The fans that were there, however, went into wild celebrations at the now confirmed place at next year's World Cup.
It was another poor performance from England. Yes, they won (so they should), but to win world cups you need to beat the best teams in the world, and on evidence of late, England are not going to do that. Anything is possible, however, and they have the players to beat anyone, but they really need to start upping their urgency and play like a Premier League team.
Empty seats at the home of football
England's poor form in recent seasons is now starting to show at their games. With only a reported 62,000 there at Wembley, it is clear England need to do something to bring the fans back. Playing attractive, winning football is the number one ingredient for attracting fans, and England just haven't done that for a while now.
They were astonishingly knocked-out of the Euro 2016 by Iceland, and were also undone at the last World Cup by the likes of Uruguay and Costa Rica. And with the World Cup draw taking place on December 1st, you can imagine there won't be many teams fearing being in England's group.
Image Sources:
www.byfarthegreatestteam.com
www.reutersmedia.net
www.thesun.co.uk
