ENGLAND 2 ESTONIA 0

BY AYODELE ODUMADE AT WEMBLEY STADIUM

With England already qualifying for France 2016, this was an opportunity for Roy Hodgson to fine tune his side and look at other options, which might be available for him.  However he was forced to make a change up front as England’s record goal scorer, Wayne Rooney was injured. This meant that Theo Walcott started. However he did not start in his preferred position, but on the wing.

England started as expected against Estonia, with three corners in quick succession, which culminated in a shot by Theo Walcott, which was on target but was saved by Mihkel Aksalu.   England looked for openings without creating any clear chances.

On the half hour mark, Konstantin Vassiljev took the ball down the left wing and whipped a cross into the England box, which Chris Smalling dealt with facing his own goal by conceding a corner.  Three minutes later, James Milner hit a shot from distance, which was wide of the Estonian goal. 

With 38 minutes gone, Walcott picked up the ball inside the Estonian half and ran for goal but his left foot shot was wide. The Estonians were comfortable and for them it was probably an achievement for them as the score was level without them creating much upfront.

Just when Estonia thought they would go in level at the break, England scored.  Ross Barkley threaded a pass to Walcott who was onside and calmly slotted the ball home to give England the lead.  Although England dominated proceedings and possession, they labored a bit.

Four minutes after the break, England were awarded a free kick, which was teed up for Adam Lallana, who hit a shot that was saved by Aksalu.   Harry Kane should have scored from the rebound but he took a touch and was closed down by two Estonian defenders and the chance had gone.

 In the 76^th minute, Ross Barkley, who was the best player, who was the best player on the park, opened the Estonian defence up like the parting of the red sea and hit a fierce shot but Aksalu saved it. 

Six minutes before the end, substitute Jamie Vardy took the ball on the left and crossed it to Raheem Sterling who slotted it in from close range and put the game beyond Estonia’s reach.

Overall it was a useful exercise for England having already qualified, but there will be tougher tests ahead, including prestigious friendlies against Spain and France next month, which might give an indication of how far England have recovered from their debacle last summer in Brazil.