England and Wales continued their respective Euro 2016 campaigns with a Group B clash in Lens on Thursday afternoon.
England entered the match off the back of a 1-1 draw with Russia at the weekend, while Wales beat Slovakia 2-1 and another victory against the Three Lions would have seen them qualify for the round of 16.
At the interval, it was Wales that led courtesy of a long-range free kick from Gareth Bale. England were level in the 56th minute, however, when Jamie Vardy turned home from close range.
England dominated large spells of the second period and found a winner in the second minute of stoppage time when Daniel Sturridge poked the ball home from close range.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live Euro 2016 coverage continues from Lens and it is a special game as England take on Wales in Group B. Chris Coleman's Wales team will enter this match above their opponents in the group, but it is still all to play for this afternoon. It has all the makings of a pulsating 90 minutes of action – let's just hope that there is a Premier League intensity on display here!
Just a reminder that kickoff this afternoon is not until 2pm UK time, but be sure to remain with me for all of the very best build-up and indeed the team news, which will land at around 1pm. Will Roy Hodgson or Chris Coleman make any changes from their first Group B matches at the weekend? Speculation has been rife over team selection and Hodgson could well make a change or two in Lens.
This afternoon will be the 104th meeting between England and Wales in international football. England have won 68 of the previous 103, while Wales have only recorded 14 victories and the last of those came back in May 1984. What's more, England have won each of the last three matches between the two teams without conceding. Wales are the underdogs this afternoon say the statistics!
As mentioned, Wales have not beaten England since May 1984, when a certain Mark Hughes, on his debut, settled the international friendly in Wrexham. England triumphed 2-0 at home and 1-0 away en route to qualifying for the 2006 World Cup and then 2-0 away and 1-0 at home to assist their qualifying bid for Euro 2012. It would be fair to say that England have enjoyed the better of it against Wales, but there is just something about the spirit and belief in this Welsh team under Chris Coleman.
Right, let's focus on Saturday's results in Group B, starting with England. In truth, it was a difficult build-up to the Russia match due to the violence that occurred in Marseille, but Hodgson's side actually put in an impressive performance. They should have entered half-time with the lead after dominating the first period, but it took until the 73rd minute for Eric Dier to send the Three Lions ahead.
It did appear that England would start their Group B campaign with a win as they led into stoppage time, but Russia had other ideas as Vasili Berezutski's header levelled the scores in the 92nd minute and broke England's hearts. The result showed England's naivety at this level and that could haunt them this summer, especially if they are to suffer a disappointing result to Wales this afternoon.
Hodgson faced criticism for substituting Wayne Rooney minutes after England had taken the lead and Danny Rose was also picked out for his part in the Russia goal. In truth, England were superior to Russia in almost every area on Saturday night, but just could not hold on to make a winning start to Group B. As a result, they will enter this match in Lens under a bit of pressure to secure a result.
As it stands, Wales top Group B on goal difference from Slovakia, who recorded a 2-1 win over Russia on Wednesday afternoon. England and Russia, meanwhile, both have one point from two matches. England would move to the top of the group with a win here, but Wales can actually secure their spot in the round of 16 if they collect all the points. Some carrot on offer for the Welsh!
Wales opened their Group B campaign with a 2-1 win over Slovakia at the weekend. It was Gareth Bale – who else – that sent Coleman's side into a first-half lead, but Duda equalised just past the hour during what was a strong period for Slovakia. Wales' team spirit shined through, however, and Hal Robson-Kanu struck in the 81st minute to secure a valuable three points for the Dragons.
Wales will be seen as the underdogs for this afternoon's match, but it is worth remembering that they have plenty of top-level experience throughout their team. Ashley Williams, Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale would all fancy their chances of making the England team, while Liverpool's Joe Allen also impressed against Slovakia last time out. If Wales are to achieve something special in this competition - more than they already have - Bale will need to continue finding the back of the net.
Talking of Bale, the Real Madrid attacker scored seven of Wales' 11 goals in qualifying and also provided two assists. He is the superstar in this team and came to the forefront with a wonderful free kick against Slovakia at the weekend. Bale will seemingly line up against England centre-backs Chris Smalling and Gary Cahill this afternoon and that could be a fascinating battle in this match.
Euro 2016 is not only Wales' first ever European Championships, it is their first appearance in a major international competition since the 1958 World Cup, where they actually reached the quarter-finals on Swedish soil. Since then, they have tried and failed to qualify for a major tournament, but history was achieved when they booked their spot in the finals of this competition.
In terms of qualification, Wales booked their spot in France after finishing second behind Belgium in Group B. They won six of their 10 matches and only lost once – qualifying with 21 points, two fewer than Belgium, who lost their first match of this competition to Italy earlier this week. As mentioned, Coleman's side only scored 11 times in the group, but shipped just four goals in the process.
In terms of recent results, Wales actually entered this summer's competition off the back of a four-game winless streak, three of which were defeats. They lost to Netherlands in a friendly towards the end of 2015, before drawing with Northern Ireland and losing to Ukraine in March. Their final pre-tournament match was a comprehensive 3-0 defeat in Sweden on June 5.
What is ahead for Wales? Well, Coleman's side will finish their Group B campaign against Russia on June 20 and by that point, would have hoped to have booked their spot in the next round. Indeed, they could lose this match and still be in a strong position after winning last time out, especially when considering the new third-place ruling which makes up the final 16. They are in a good position.
In case you are unfamiliar with the new qualifying system this summer – as usual, the top two from each group will make it through into the knockout rounds and also the four best third-placed teams, which actually makes it quite hard not to qualify. Wales would indeed book their spot in the round of 16 if they beat England this afternoon and that would be some achievement for the Dragons!
The future looks bright for Wales and the same can be said for head coach Coleman, who signed a new long-term contract with the national team before this summer's tournament. The former Fulham boss replaced the late Gary Speed in January 2012 and was widely lauded for his work during qualification. Imagine if he actually won the Euros for this Welsh team! Why not!
TEAM NEWS FROM BOTH NATIONS IS IN!
TEAMS:
ENG: Hart; Walker, Cahill, Smalling, Rose; Rooney, Dier, Alli; Lallana, Kane, Sterling
WAL: Hennessey; Gunter, Chester, Williams, Taylor, Davies; Ledley, Ramsey, Allen; Robson-Kanu, Bale
No real surprise that England are unchanged from the Russia match last time out. As a result, it will once again be a 4-3-3 formation, with Raheem Sterling and Adam Lallana supporting lone striker Harry Kane, who might well still be taking corners for the Three Lions. Wayne Rooney skippers the team from central midfield, while Kyle Walker and Danny Rose start in the two full-back positions.
Wales boss Coleman, however, has made three changes to the team that beat Slovakia at the weekend. In come Wayne Hennessey, Joe Ledley and Hal Robson-Kanu, with Danny Ward, David Edwards and Jonny Williams the three players dropping to the bench. There are eight Premier League players in Coleman's XI and the team will once again be led by Swansea's Ashley Williams.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just about 50 minutes from kickoff on this warm afternoon in Lyon. I have spoken about Wales and their route to this tournament, but what about England? It would be fair to say that it was a wonderful qualification campaign for the Three Lions, but it will count for nothing if they do not make it out of the group stages here.
England, of course, reached the semi-finals of the 1996 European Championships on home soil, but they have not been past the quarter-final stage since then. They made the last eight in 2004 and 2012 and famously failed to qualify for the 2008 edition under a certain Steve McClaren. It is about time that the Three Lions put on a strong performance in a European Championships!
In terms of qualification for this summer's tournament, England absolutely breezed through Group E - winning all 10 of their qualifying fixtures to finish on 30 points, nine clear of second-place Switzerland. Hodgson's side scored 31 times in their 10 matches and only conceded three times in the process.
In winning all of their 10 Euro 2016 qualification matches, England became just the sixth team to achieve that feat, after France (1992, 2004), Czech Republic (2000) and Spain and Germany (2012). There is no question that the Three Lions impressed in the qualification phase, but in truth, it was not the most difficult of groups! The atmosphere is really building here as kickoff approaches!
England will finish their Group B campaign against Slovakia on Monday and will hope to enter that match on four points. The Three Lions might have been unable to make it out of the group stages at the 2014 World Cup, but they have not failed to make it through the groups of a European Championship since Euro 2000. It would be a shock result if they lost to Wales this afternoon.
Where is this match going to be won and lost this afternoon? You just get the feeling that Bale will need to perform for Wales if they are to stand a chance of securing a positive result. That said, there are eight Premier League players in this Welsh XI and the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen will fancy their chances of making an impression. On paper, Wales can certainly compete against England.
Hal Robson-Kanu, who scored the winner against Slovakia at the weekend, does not even have a club after leaving Reading at the end of last season, but a strong performance at these championships would put him in the shop window. Bale will act as the focal point for Coleman's side this afternoon, with Robson-Kanu drifting into wide areas and looking to move England's two centre-backs.
Can Harry Kane inspire England this afternoon? The Tottenham striker struggled to make an impact against Russia, but Hodgson has resisted the temptation to select Jamie Vardy. Kane could well be on corner duty again in Lens, which is quite bizarre, but hey, Phil Jones took them for Manchester United so anything is possible. Little over 10 minutes until kickoff in this key Group B clash!
Confirmation of the two teams for this afternoon's match...
ENG: Hart; Walker, Cahill, Smalling, Rose; Rooney, Dier, Alli; Lallana, Kane, Sterling
WAL: Hennessey; Gunter, Chester, Williams, Taylor, Davies; Ledley, Ramsey, Allen; Robson-Kanu, Bale
Here we go then. Both sets of players are in the tunnel and you can just sense the tension! Plenty of these players know each other, but there are no friends out there this afternoon. The stadium is absolutely packed and the national anthems should be pretty special. Five minutes to kickoff here!
National anthem time. First up Wales!
Well, that was emotional. Some passionate scenes inside the stadium. Now it is the turn of England. There is just no downplaying the importance of this match. Here's to a cracking afternoon.
KICKOFF! Wales kick this Group B clash off in Lens...
... it must be said that there is a sensational atmosphere inside the stadium this afternoon. England put some early pressure on the Welsh back five as Kane chases down the ball and it does appear that the Three Lions will be looking to make another fast start after beginning well against Russia.
Possession football from England as Smalling and Cahill exchange passes at the back and Wales are not too concerned with pressing forward at the moment. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital. No real sign of Wales pressing the ball as things stand here.
Handbags between Alli and Ramsey as Alli pushes the Arsenal midfielder to the deck!
Wales have a free kick in a very dangerous area as Walker brings Ramsey to the deck...
... Ramsey delivers, but Alli is on hand to make the clearance. Smalling is then beaten in the air by Williams, but Hart is on hand to claim. Very lively opening six minutes to this Group B clash.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for England as Lallana races away before delivering a super cross into Sterling, but the attacker fires his effort over the crossbar. Just had to score there!
Good pressure from Wales as Taylor breaks down the left before delivering towards Bale, but England just about manage to clear. An all-action contest at the moment as both teams continue to commit players in the final third of the field. The opening nine minutes have absolutely flown past!
Cahill is forced to clear behind as Bale drives into the England box and smashes towards goal!
This is just like a Premier League game at the moment and that is wonderful to see. A lot of games at these championships have been slow and considered, but that is just not the case here.
Rooney decides to have a go from distance after finding space in the final third, but his effort was always moving over the crossbar. Still goalless, but cracking game of football in Lens here.
Well, 16 minutes on the clock and England have had comfortably the best chance of the match, but Sterling could not finish from inside the box. Wales are careful and considered in their build-up, but are yet to test Hart in the England goal. We have not seen too much from a certain Bale so far!
Good possession for England as they continue to pass and probe in the final third, but Wales are pretty comfortable dropping deep and keeping the Three Lions at bay. Allen attempts to break away for Wales after taking the ball away from Rooney, but Dier is back to challenge the Arsenal man.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, but England are in control of the possession with 21 minutes on the clock. Just a reminder that a win for Wales this afternoon would actually see them qualify for the knockout round of the competition. Still all square in Lens though!
Ledley fells Alli and England have a free kick in a dangerous position here...
... Kane fires straight over the crossbar. Poor from the Spurs man.
Ramsey has been Wales' star player in the opening 24 minutes and the Arsenal midfielder is everywhere at the moment as he continues to chase down the ball and regain possession.
MATCH PIC!
England have another free kick in an advanced position as Ledley fells Rose this time...
... CHANCE! Cahill meets the free kick from Rooney, but Hennessey saves!
It is all getting very scrappy here and that seems to be suiting Wales, who are up for the fight! Walker manages to drive down the right and deliver, but Davies is on hand to clear behind.
You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital this afternoon. That is often the case in Premier League matches and this is pretty much one of those! Robson-Kanu does well to deliver from a wide position after winning the ball, but Bale cannot grow high enough.
Another England free kick as Davies bundles into the back of Kane...
... Rooney delivers towards Lallana, but Gunter is on hand to make the challenge.
A poor pass from Rooney puts Rose under pressure and Wales look to take advantage of some nerves from England, but eventually the ball is cleared. Still goalless with 33 on the clock here.
PENALTY SHOUT! England want a penalty as Davies seems to handle inside the box, but the referee is not interested. It was a very dangerous cross from Sterling there!
Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining and in truth, neither side has really done enough to deserve to be leading this Group B clash. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital. Bale has been very, very quiet in the opening 35 minutes here.
CLOSE! Smalling heads an England corner just wide of the post!
England are, without question, the dominant team at the moment as they continue to boss the possession, but Wales are pretty comfortable it must be said. As expected, it has been a first period full of energy, but incredibly there has not been a single booking thus far. Some tasty challenges mind!
Pass, pass, pass from England, but they are not really going anywhere with it.
Not long left in this first period and we are still all square in Lens. Wales have a free kick in an advanced position though as Rooney bundles Robson-Kanu to the deck...
... GOAL! England 0-1 Wales (Bale)
Oh my word what a strike! Wales lead in the 42nd minute as Bale fires his free kick into the bottom corner. Hart probably should save it, but the City stopper just cannot keep the ball out!
Testing times for England as the ball runs out of play with Walker chasing!
Just the one additional minute to be played in this first period.
HALF-TIME: England 0-1 Wales
What a half for Wales! The referee brings the first period to a close with Wales leading 1-0 courtesy of a wonderful free kick from Bale, who found the bottom corner in the 42nd minute. England have been the better team for long spells, but have once again been unable to find the back of the net.
STATS! England have dominated the possession with 64%, while they have had six attempts, but just one of those was on target. Wales, meanwhile, hit the target with one of their three attempts and that was the free kick from Bale. Surprisingly no yellow cards to report in the first 45 minutes!
BENCH WATCH! Surely England boss Roy Hodgson will look to make changes at the interval and he has the likes of Barkley, Vardy, Rashford and Sturridge in reserve. In my opinion, Sterling will be lucky to stay on the pitch. Wales, meanwhile, have the likes of Church, King and Jonny Williams on the bench. Dragons boss Coleman will be pretty content with things at the moment though!
MATCH PIC!
RESTART! England resume the action in Lens...
ENGLAND SUBS! Vardy and Sturridge have replaced Sterling and Kane at the break.
Big call from Hodgson as the England boss introduces two new strikers and that will mean a change of formation. It does appear that it will be midfield diamond for the team in white. Wales, as expected, are unchanged from the first period. England just have to score the next goal here.
Bale comes close to breaking through for Wales, but Smalling just about manages to make the challenge. It almost falls for Ramsey, but England just about manage to clear. This is bubbling nicely!
Smalling meets an England corner from the right, but his header was always moving away from the goal. You just get the feeling that England need to score the next goal in this Group B clash.
England are in control of this match at the moment as they continue to move the ball from left to right in the final third, but Sturridge has a go and his effort was always into the stands.
Wales just need to find a way to ease the pressure here as they remain camped inside their own half. Dier looks for a long pass towards Vardy, but the ball is too strong and Wales can resume play from the dead-ball line. Still more than 35 minutes of this Group B clash to play in Lens.
Ramsey hits one for Wales, but Hart is on hand to make a comfortable save.
SAVE! Hennessey turns a low Rooney strike wide of the post!
GOAL! England 1-1 Wales (Vardy)
England level the scores in the 56th minute as Vardy, who else, finishes from close range after Wales failed to clear a cross from Sturridge. He did appear to be offside though!
Excuse me - the ball came off the head of Williams. Vardy was not offside!
I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals in this match as England continue to threaten this Welsh box. Walker delivers a dangerous cross into Vardy, but Hennessey clears.
Lallana has one deflected wide of the post as England continue to dominate this game.
BOOKING! Davies (Wales) is booked for a late challenge on Lallana.
Couple of half-chances for England in quick succession, but Dier cannot find a shot on target and Wales manage to scramble the ball clear. Rooney then finds Alli, but the control is poor!
Wales are struggling, make no mistake about that. They just cannot keep hold of the ball at the moment as England continue to utterly dominate possession. Still all square in Lens though!
Ledley is down and struggling for Wales. The central midfielder broke his leg in May and it is incredible that he is taking part in this match, but it might well have to be a change here.
Sturridge hits one from distance, but his effort was always over the target.
WALES SUB! David Edwards replaces Ledley for Wales.
Little over 20 minutes of this second period remaining and we are so delicately poised. England have utterly dominated this game since the restart, but you just get the feeling that there will be another big chance for Wales, who are yet to look to their substitutes bench this afternoon.
Another good spell of England possession, but it ends with Dier crossing into no-mans land. Both sets of supporters are full of voice as we enter the final stages of this contest. Still 1-1 here!
WALES SUB! Jonny Williams replaces Robson-Kanu for Wales.
ENGLAND SUB! Rashford replaces Lallana for England.
Penalty shout for Wales as Williams goes down inside the England box under pressure from Smalling, but the referee is not interested. It would have been harsh, but seen them given!
Bale heads wide of the post as Wales have a rare chance to threaten here.
Wales have just managed to ride out the pressure and enjoy some possession, which is just what they needed following the onslaught after England managed to level. So delicately poised here.
Rooney turns Jonny Williams outside the Wales box and strikes towards goal, but Ashley Williams is on hand to make a fine block. 'Come on England' from the stands with 10 minutes left here.
Jonny Williams sends one over the England crossbar from outside the box.
Rashford has certainly added something to the England attack and Wales look concerned when the Man United striker picks up possession of the ball. Wales just cannot get out their half here.
Wales manage to ease the pressure as Vardy fells Chester at the back. England are still putting the pressure on this Welsh back five, but Hennessey is remaining largely untroubled here.
Bale just has not been in the game in the second period and only one team is looking for the win!
Jonny Williams puts Smalling under pressure, but the Man United centre-back does well to head back to his own goalkeeper and England will come again with 89 minutes on the clock.
Cahill heads over the crossbar from a corner as we remain all square here.
Three additional minutes to be played here.
GOAL! England 2-1 Wales (Sturridge)
Oh my word England have won it! In the second minute of additional time Sturridge breaks through and finishes into the bottom corner! Not sure about the Welsh defending or the goalkeeper, but the ball is in the back of the net and the Three Lions are heading for a really big three points here.
FULL-TIME: England 2-1 Wales
So there we have it. Vardy and Sturridge both come off the bench to score as England come from behind to beat Wales 2-1 in Lens and take control of Group B. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us for more Euro 2016 action tonight. Until then!
