England have survived a poor first-half performance and an early goal conceded to beat Slovakia 2-1 at Wembley on Monday and move within two points of securing qualification to the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Lobotka scored for Slovakia just three minutes into the game but England made it all square before the break as Eric Dier converted a near-post corner kick delivered by Marcus Rashford. The Manchester United youngster was the man of the match as he put England ahead with a fine shot on 59 minutes.
England are comfortably leading Group F, they have a five-point advantage over second-placed Slovakia and need to secure just two points in their last two group matches. Their next qualifier is also at Wembley, they face Slovenia on October 5, and they will end the campaign with an away match in Lithuania. "We didn't start the game well but I was pleased with the way the players reacted on the field," manager Gareth Southgate said after the match. "They got themselves into better positions. We were stretched in the first 15 minutes or so."
"Great credit to the players for staying in the game and then in the second half we were in control," the manager added. "We didn't give them space to play. Rashford showed everything he has. At times he has to do better but his work on the ball, the maturity of his performance and his ability to go past people was devastating to the opposition and lifted the whole crowd." Five teams have already qualified for the 2018 World Cup: host nation Russia, Brazil, Belgium, Iran and Mexico.
England are 20/1 at Bet365 to win the 2018 World Cup.
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