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Harry Maguire beat a late winner at home as England worked for a 2-1 win over Poland in World Cup qualifying on Wednesday after a John Stones mistake nearly cost the hosts all three points.
Maguire pivoted and smashed a corner knockdown at home in the 85th minute to maintain England’s perfect start to their Group I campaign.
England had dominated the majority of the game at Wembley, taking the lead after 19 minutes when Harry Kane shot home from the penalty spot. Things took a turn for the worse for Gareth Southgate’s side, however, when Stones allowed Jakub Moder to stabilize in the second half.
Stones dragged on the ball and Polish midfielder Moder stole possession before shooting at home after a quick exchange of passes.
The win took England to nine points in three games, two ahead of Hungary in second, Poland with four points, and although the performance was far from impressive, England manager Southgate was pleased with the way they stuck to the task.
“We were very good in the first half, we were in control of the game and conceding a goal like we did can hit the team,” he said.
“They persevered, they regained their composure and won an important set-play winner.”
Poland stripped of their main attacking threat with Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski ruled out with a knee injury were never likely to tear themselves apart in England and their more defensive approach frustrated the hosts early on .
England lacked any sort of penetration or offensive momentum in a stale opening, but suddenly found additional gear with Sterling’s pace causing trouble for the three-man backline from Poland and taking the penalty which took given the opening.
The Manchester City striker picked up the ball in midfield and leapt forward, leaving the Polish defense behind in its wake before Michal Helik slipped from behind and caught it on Achilles.
Kane stepped in to kick the ball in the middle and become England’s all-time top scorer with 10 goals there.
The Poles did well to reach half-time without conceding again, with Sterling failing twice when the odds opened in front of him and Kane stinging the palms of Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny with a raspy effort.
England were in full control but gave Poland a way back into the game when Stones lingered on the ball and allowed Moder to fly.
The Polish midfielder traded passes with substitute Arkadiusz Milik and fought off Nick Pope, the first goal the England keeper had conceded in his first seven appearances in England.
The goal seemed to attract the attention of England’s attack and the hosts worked for the rest of the game. Maguire, however, came to their rescue when he latched onto the Stones knockdown and knocked home from eight yards.
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