Most Popular Sports
All Sports
Show All

Theo Walcott and Raheem Sterling on target as England complete win over Estonia

Eurosport
ByEurosport

Updated 09/10/2015 at 21:17 GMT

European Championship qualifier Group E, Wembley – England 2 (Walcott 45, Sterling 85) Estonia 0

England's Theo Walcott scores their first goal

Image credit: Reuters

Theo Walcott and Raheem Sterling scored in each half as England completed a routine 2-0 win over Estonia to maintain their 100 percent record in qualifiers.
In what was a poor opening period, Theo Walcott brightened the mood around Wembley just before half time with a fine finish after being picked out by a pinpoint Ross Barkley through-ball.
Estonia threatened on several occasions, but lacked that clinical touch up front, and England took advantage after the break.
Harry Kane missed a great opportunity to continue his fine goalscoring record for England just after the break, but his mistimed a volley from close range.
England’s second did come late on after Joe Hart’s clearance was flicked into the path of substitute Jamie Vardy by Kane, and the Leicester forward showed great composure to square for Sterling, who tapped home.
This is the first time England have won 11 consecutive World Cup/Euros qualifying matches. They last dropped points in a 0-0 draw in Ukraine on 10 September 2013 in qualifying for the 2014 World Cup.
The result sees England travel to Lithuania for Monday’s final qualifier just one win away from finishing their Group E Euro 2016 qualification with a 100% record – uncharted territory for the Three Lions, and an achievement that will only hype up the pressure ahead of the tournament in France next summer.
picture

England's Raheem Sterling scores their second goal

Image credit: Reuters

KEY MOMENTS
5’ - SAVE! Great effort from Walcott from the edge of the box is heading for the top corner but Mihkel Aksalu is across very quickly to parry the ball away. Fine save.
14’ - CHANCE! Bertrand's cross is beaten away by Aksalu only as far as Barkley, who side-foots first time, but the Estonia 'keeper recovers to gather the tame effort.
30’ - DANGER! First real alarm for England. Ball finds its way Taijo Teniste on the edge of the box, with time to pick his spot, but Gary Cahill is out quickly to block.
45’ - GOAL! England 1-0 Estonia. Theo Walcott breaks the deadlock as Wembley breathes a sigh of relief. Superb pass from Barkley to pick him out.
48’ - CHANCE! Great cross from Nathaniel Clyne into the path of Kane, but he gets his volley all wrong, hits his standing leg and the ball runs away from goal. Last season that would have ended up in the back of the net.
78’ - SAVE! Superb feet from Barkley again, looks odds-on to score, but Aksalu has other ideas, and flies across his goal to tip Barkley's strike wide. Superb save.
85’ - GOAL! England 2-0 Estonia. Vardy makes an instant impact, squaring for Sterling to tap home. Route one at its finest!
picture

England's Raheem Sterling celebrates scoring their second goal with Jamie Vardy

Image credit: Reuters

KEY STATS
That was Theo Walcott's eighth goal for England, but only his second at Wembley for the Three Lions.
Walcott has now scored 7 goals in his last 10 appearances for club and country.
Only Poland (31) have scored more goals than England in Euro 2016 qualifying so far.
Ross Barkley has assisted Theo Walcott's last two England goals.
TALKING POINT
Has the qualification campaign been too easy? England have run away with this group, without having to hit full throttle. The draw was very favourable to say the least, but will it actually hinder England’s chances in France when the quality of opposition greatly improves?
MAN OF THE MATCH
Ross Barkley. On a night of little quality, some of Barkley’s footwork was outstanding. Unlucky not to get among the goals, he is finally showing some end product to his play. England’s best creator by some margin.
picture

England's Ross Barkley in action

Image credit: Reuters

PLAYER RATINGS
ENGLAND: Hart 6, Clyne 6, Cahill 6, Smalling 6, Bertrand 4, Milner 5, Lallana 7, Barkley 8, Walcott 7, Sterling 6, Kane 6... Subs: Oxlade-Chamberlain 6, Alli 6, Vardy 7.
ESTONIA: Aksalu 7, Pikk 6, Klavan 7, Jaager 6, Mets 6, Dmitrijev 7, Purje 6, Zenjov 6, Vassiljev 6, Kallaste 5, Teniste 6... Subs: Lindpere 6, Puri 6.
Join 3M+ users on app
Stay up to date with the latest news, results and live sports
Download
Share this article
Related Matches
Advertisement
Advertisement