RAHEEM STERLING ignited England’s Euros campaign with his first goal at a major tournament as Gareth Southgate’s men avenged their World Cup semi-final defeat by Croatia.
Manchester City winger Sterling – who had played at two World Cups and Euro 2016 without finding the net – clipped home a delicious pass from man-of-the-match Kalvin Phillips.
And England are now almost certain to reach the knock-out stage, as well as being red-hot favourites to top Group D and earn a last-16 match at Wembley.
There had been calls for Sterling to be benched in favour of Jack Grealish but the City man justified his selection in style with a livewire return-to-form display, as well as the crucial goal.
Phil Foden curled a shot against the inside of the post after just five minutes but just as England were looking frustrated in their attempts to break down the Croats, Sterling struck 12 minutes into the second half.
In front of a vociferous 21,000 crowd at Wembley, this was an encouraging – if not flawless – performance, which should set up England nicely for a tournament when they will play the majority of their matches on home soil.
Southgate sprang one major surprise by fielding Kieran Trippier at left-back – with Champions League winner Ben Chilwell not even on the bench.
Trippier’s set-piece prowess may have swung it for him with neither of England’s other dead-ball specialists, Trent Alexander-Arnold and James Ward-Prowse, in the squad.
There was isolated booing as England’s players took the knee, drowned out by applause and cheers.
And in the blistering early-afternoon heat, England started with purpose and conviction, snapping at Croatian heels like a pack of dogs.
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Soon, Sterling burst forward and fed Foden, the 21-year-old with the retro Gazza-style hairdo, curling a shot which looked for all the world as if it was going to start a beer-chucking celebration across the nation, until it came back off the inside of the post.
From a Mason Mount corner, Phillips volleyed and forced Croatia keeper Dominik Livakovic into a sprawling save.
Phillips epitomised England’s strong start with his ball-winning, passing and positive intent. Some men shrink on the biggest stages, Phillips has grown.
The Leeds man barged over a defender and crashed a shot which Livakovic saved, yet the referee had already blown for a foul.
Midway through the half though, the Croats began to dominate possession – Trippier was beaten down the flank but Ivan Perisic made a hash of a decent shooting chance.
Kyle Walker was struggling with several misplaced passes and Croatia were beginning to look like the savvy old side which defeated Southgate’s men at the World Cup.
Still Tyrone Mings – who was justifying his controversial selection – sent a long looping pass which released Sterling, who was fouled on edge of box by Duje Caleta-Car – yet Trippier was denied by the wall.
The start to the second half was scrappy form England – Mateo Kovacic was booked for nobbling Chelsea team-mate Mount and a poor Trippier back-header forced Jordan Pickford into a desperate dash to clear.
The crowd were just starting to getting impatient and tetchy – roaring on Jack Grealish as he warmed up – when England scored.
Walker played a lovely weighted ball down the right for Phillips to turn and play a crafty angled ball for Sterling to clip home, defying a desperate attempt at a tackle from Sime Vrsaljko.
Sterling has scored just twice in his previous 19 games for club and country, yet here was absolute vindication of Southgate’s decision to stick with him as Wembley exploded with delirium.
Soon, Foden, Sterling and Mount combined, the Chelsea man picking out Kane at the back stick but he shot wide and the England captain collided with the post, needing treatment.
After Ante Rebic squandered a good chance for the Croats, Mount won a free-kick and bent it narrowly wide.
Marcus Rashford was sent on in place of Foden, Sterling skied a shot from a Mings knock-down, but Croatia were moving it about with greater urgency and looking dangerous at times.
With Kane flagging, Southgate introduced Jude Bellingham to bolster the midfield and the Borussia Dortmund kid soon dispossessed Modric, as England held out.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
