Kane sends lethargic England to World Cup

England went into the game knowing that a win against Slovenia would allow them to clinch their place in Russia next summer, celebrating their qualification in front of their own crowd at Wembley.

Their eagerness to go forward was self-evident from the start, but long spells of possession in their own half only resulted in a lack of creativity and accuracy in the final third. Rashford was a ray of sunshine for the Three Lions who looked flat until the ball fell at the feet of the Manchester United starlet.

The 19-year-old's surging runs down the left wreaked havoc in the Slovenian backline, who eventually found the way to cope with the onslaught. After shaking off England's initial pressure, the visitors pushed forward and even had appeals for a penalty turned down by referee Felix Swayer. Raheem Sterling gave the ball away in midfield, allowing Slovenia to counter. Bezjak found Ilicic, who went down inside the box from Joe Hart's challenge.

England's game got sloppier as the minutes went by, claiming possession and knocking the ball around without too much purpose. Slovakia, by way of contrast, looked sharp on the break and ready to pounce on the chances awarded by the hosts' clumsy mistakes.

Atletico Madrid keeper Jan Oblak lived up to his reputation by denying England an opener with a fantastic save. Jordan Henderson cut in from the left and looked to curl the ball into the bottom right corner but for a strong wrist from the keeper.

In the final minutes of the first half, England upped the tempo in search of a goal to break the deadlock but did so with more sentiment than skill. After an uninspiring first forty-five minutes, England seemed to come out an even more lethargic side in the second half. The hosts' worst spell of the evening invited Slovenia into the game, and the visitors jumped at the chance, needing a win to maintain their hopes of qualifying.

Southgate's side managed to recover from their sluggish state to force Oblak into action midway through the second half. Sterling played Rashford through on goal and the youngster went for the scoop over the keeper but Mevlja ran in behind to clear. It was England's biggest chance of the game, followed by an equally huge opportunity two minutes later. The loose ball inside the area fell for Sterling who went for the bottom corner, but his strike was blocked superbly by Slovenia skipper Cesar.

An onslaught from the hosts remained unrewarded as the game entered its final stretch. Joe Hart raced off his line to bravely deny Matavz at his feet, prompting Southgate to introduce a new face to his defence by bringing on Michael Keane for Sterling, a clear statement of intent. 

With Scotland holding Slovakia at Hampden Park, a draw sufficed to carry England through and the coach decided to see the game slowly peter out. However, Southgate and the Wembley crowd breathed a huge sigh of relief when Kane finally found the back of the net four minutes into stoppage time, guiding Walker's cross past Oblak.

A far from stellar performance from England who have nevertheless secured their place in next summer's World Cup. The hard work will start now for Southgate and his men as they look to improve upon their pedestrian displays in the qualifying stages with their eyes set on the biggest competition in world football.