England’s inevitable march to World Cup glory (or a disappointing last 16 exit) is up and running
A last-gasp back post header from Harry Kane was enough for the Three Lions to see off international football heavyweights Tunisia 2-1 in Rostov.
Kane had opened the scoring early in the first half, only for England to set about being all England-y – missing a few chances they probably should have scored and conceding a penalty (albeit a controversial one) to ensure they somehow ended the first half on level terms.
England dominated the possession in the second half, but were frustrated by Tunisia’s determination to sit deep and settle for a point.
All in all, Kane’s late, late winner came as something of a relief – as was clear from the reaction of Gary Lineker.
Hosting the BBC’s coverage of the game, Lineker was seen jumping from his seat and screaming with delight as Kane nodded home, a reaction probably mirrored by most other Englishmen.
‘Most’, but not all. As was pointed out by many who saw the footage from the Beeb’s Red Square studio, Alan Shearer, Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard – all on punditry duty for the evening – were far more controlled in their celebrations.
Shearer broke the habit of a lifetime by lifting *two* hands above his head in celebration instead of one; Ferdinand went for a single-handed fist pump; Lampard just smiled a bit and jotted something down on a piece of paper…
If you didn't celebrate like @GaryLineker are you even an England fan?#ENGTUN #bbcworldcup pic.twitter.com/nRFG4Znwi3
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 18, 2018
Although Lineker’s passionate celebration went down a storm with many England fans, other viewers pointed to the other three men, who all remained seated.
https://twitter.com/DarrenKerby1/status/1008813414502883334
Lineker celebrates like we all did. 90th minute winner and Lamps, Ferdinand and Shearer didn’t even get out of the chair. Wtf!!! No wonder the golden generation failed!!!
— Jorden Bird (@J_BirdsEyeView) June 18, 2018
https://twitter.com/Bradley_Safc/status/1008835645048016896
#HarryKane bags a 90th winner in the #WorldCup, #Lineker goes wild, #Rio and #Shearer half heartedly celebrate… Then there's #Lampard… He decides to pick up a fukin pen…..
— Bradders (@AVFCNel) June 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/MSW_89/status/1008825318969413632
Imagine seeing your nation score a last minute winner at a World Cup and celebrating like Rio, Lampard and shearer 🙈🙈😂😂 https://t.co/6NWEcmxlrb
— Scott Delaney (@Scott_delaney15) June 18, 2018
No big deal really. Probably just concentrating on what they’d be saying after the game….
England will now turn their attention to beating Panama in their second World Cup game before facing Belgium in the final game of the group stages.
