Half-time report: Sassi penalty cancels Kane goal

Harry Kane's 11th minute goal was cancelled out by Ferjani Sassi's penalty as England threw away the lead against Tunisia in the first half at the Volgograd Arena.

19 June, 2018 00:19 IST

Ferjani Sassi scored the equalizing penalty for Tunisia after Kyle Walker elbowed Ben Youssef inside the box. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

England captain Harry Kane scored the opening goal in the 11th minute after latching on to a rebound from Mouez Hassen’s brilliant save.

England was confident in its approach from the beginning and drew three saves in the opening five minutes from the Tunisian goalkeeper. Tunisia tried to put pressure after the opening spell of possession from England by winning a corner, but the English defence comfortably cleared the danger.

In the 34th minute, Kyle Walker elbowed Ben Youssef inside the box forcing the referee to award Tunisia a penalty. Ferjani Sassi duly converted from the spot marking the first goal by an African nation in this World Cup.

England was unlucky to miss an open goal in the final minutes, as Jesse Lingard rounded off the Tunisian keeper but the ball deflected off the woodwork.