England 0 - Wales 1 Gareth Bale 42 Live

And finally, we’re off! Wales get the game underway, kicking from right to left in the first half. For reasons that remain unclear, they’re wearing their black away kit. Perhaps they’re still trying to work out why when they almost gift England a goal straight from their own kick-off.

A revved up Harry Kane almost charges down Ashley Williams, only for the Wales defender to get the ball away just in time. Rooney picks up possession and shapes to shoot, before trying to disguise a pass through to Sterling. Wales survive.

Rooney quarter-backs a high crossfield pass from left to right, looking for the rampaging Kyle Walker. Neil Taylor is forced to head behind for a corner. England have started well.

Harry Kane is off corners. This is a disgrace. Wayne Rooney’s trotted over to the right to take it. Wales head it away and Aaron Ramsey and Dele Alli hare off in pursuit of it. As Ramsey shepherds it out of play, Alli gives him a little judge and sends the Wales midfielder clattering into the advertising hoardings. The referee has to calm everyone down.

Wales mount a coherent attack for the first time and Ramsey is involved again, winning a free-kick on the left touchline after a shove from Walker. The free-kick’s headed away but Wales come again. Taylor crosses from the left and Williams gets his head to the ball, but Hart gathers it comfortably. Here, the Tottenham players seem to be targeting Arsenal’s Ramsey.

With their neck on the line, England get the second half underway. Sturridge and Vardy are on, Roy Hodgson reacting to a the first half ineptitude by making positive changes. Will they work? They need to work. He could be out of a job if they don’t.

“Oliver Kahn just proposed that goalkeepers should do without a wall when the free kick is 30 meters or more away from goal,” says Hauke Wemken. “Players like Bale would be left without a reference point for their free kicks and goalkeepers would see the ball earlier. Maybe Bale would be confused. But his team mates could form a ‘wall’ (ghost wall) just to give this reference point. A wall that runs out of the way anyway.”

The England fans are singing the national anthem. England appear to have switched to a diamond formation now.

Bale almost romps on to a loose ball just outside the England area. It breaks away from him and Ramsey can’t gather it. Wales look like they will go for a second goal.

Walker drives down the right and sees his low cross deflected into the side netting. England have a corner on the right. Cahil heads it away for a throw. Good clearance.


guardian