Jamie Vardy’s inclusion in the second half for England helped his team preserve a point, but it was Daniel Sturridge that provided the dramatic winner for the Three Lions on Thursday.
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The Liverpool attacker narrowly poked his effort past Wales keeper Wayne Hennessey in second-half stoppage time, giving England a 2-1 victory over Wales in the 92nd minute.
After entering the match at the half, Vardy knocked home the equalizer in the 56th minute from close range, giving England a shot at advancing out of Group B on the final matchday. Sturridge’s finish ensured that the English will sit atop the group heading into their last match against Slovakia.
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Wales took the lead three minutes from halftime, after Gareth Bale caught England keeper Joe Hart napping on his free kick from distance. The Real Madrid attacker hit his long-range effort with some venom, but Hart truthfully should’ve reacted better to the shot.
The Three Lions came out the more dominant side, holding significantly more possession than Wales, but England struggled to find quality chances in the final third.
Raheem Sterling’s point-blank shot from the center of the penalty area was sent over the bar in the seventh minute, and was likely England’s best opportunity to beat goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey in the opening half.
England protested the referee in the 32nd minute when the ball struck the arm of Wales defender Ben Davies inside the penalty area. The official opted to play on though, despite Davies’ arm clearly sitting away from his body.
