Southgates First World Cup Game: Kane Brace

It was a hot debate as to how Gareth Southgates side would stand up to the test of being in a World Cup. Very few of the selected 23 man squad had huge numbers of International caps at senior level. In fact, most were still quite young.

The debate, prior to the World Cup was, do they have enough about them to give a good performance? Certainly in recent International tournaments have not gone along the 'experience to success' ratio many pundits have been blinded by.

In fact, in 2014 two defeats and a draw against Costa Rica saw the Three Lions come home with tails between their legs. This, despite boasting names such as Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard et al.

Certainly last nights game against Tunisia was could be held up as an example that the nay sayers were correct. Domination on the field, but the inability to convert the chances into goals. The fact that, after taking the lead, England let the opposition back into the game only to get the three points in stoppage time.

Some could hold that up as an example this Southgate side don't have what it takes. I think differently about last nights game, and here's why. Opening games are difficult to judge, with both sides finding their feet within the group. Certainly I think if England had to play Belgium first up, we may not have won.

Just ask German, Argentinian and Brazilian fans about tough opening day results. Their sides faced teams they should have beaten, and didn't. Now they face only two games to get qualified to the next round. England, on the other hand, are one win away from qualifying and scored just as many goals as their whole 2014 campaign in Brazil.

But there were concerns for Gareth Southgate to address. The first, and probably biggest, was Harry Maguire. In the first half he gifted the ball far too often to the Tunisians. A positive side to this was that these mistakes, and his nerves, were almost non existent in the second half.

Harry Kane scored twice in the game to give England the eventual victory, but he could have had more. Fouled numerous times, and rugby tackled in the box, the referee Wilmer Roldan showed no interest in giving England a penalty.

But we knew he would be controversial. Last nights referee has had his VAR controversies in the past and was known to be 'card happy'. The mosquitoes were also an issue for the England players. Looking at the players lining up before the restart and you see numerous England players swatting away. With Tunisia, I didn't notice that as much.

But England played to the final whistle and secured the three points. Had that been Manchester City or United there would have been applause. It's the sign of winners to never give up until the final whistle and win when you haven't played great. Missing a host of numerous chances usually comes back to bite England on the rear. The game against the USA in 2010 showed that quite well. This side, however, has that resilience and desire to win.

Overall it was a promising performance but you would expect the side to improve for the second game. After Sundays meeting with Panama I think we might just have a better idea as to where this side could potentially go this World Cup.