Maguire Impresses In Last-Gasp England Victory

- Leicester City defender Harry Maguire makes his FIFA World Cup debut for England
- England defeated Tunisia 2-1 in their maiden Group G fixture on Monday
- Harry Kane opened the scoring in Volgograd, but Ferjani Sassi levelled from the spot
- Maguire headed it into Kane's path in the 91st minute as England sealed all three points

On the occasion of his sixth international cap, Maguire featured alongside Manchester City duo Kyle Walker and John Stones at the back of Gareth Southgate's fluid 3-5-2 stratagem.

Not since Gordon Banks' triumphant appearance in the Final at Wembley Stadium 52 years ago had a Foxes player represented the English national side at a World Cup.

Ahead of kick-off in England's maiden Group G fixture in Russia, the 25-year-old, City's 2017/18 Player and Players' Player of the Season, was yet to concede a goal in an England shirt.

While Harry Kane, a former Foxes loanee, put the Three Lions ahead in the 11th minute, Ferjani Sassi's 35th minute penalty appeared to deny Southgate's men all three points.

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Harry Maguire

Maguire celebrates with the England supporters at full-time.

However, Maguire's assist laid it up perfectly for Kane to seal a climactic victory for England in the 91st minute, sparking jubilant scenes - in Volgograd and across the country back home.

Maguire earned plaudits for his expressive runs forward from the defence, a frequent source of creativity for England in testing circumstances against a rigid Tunisian outfit. 

It was Maguire's endeavour which often kick-started attacking moves towards Tunisia's goal, but Nabil Maâloul's men, without unused substitute Yohan Benalouane, stood firm until the 91st minute.

Kieran Trippier's corner was nodded by Maguire into Kane's path who, in turn, glanced it past substitute goalkeeper Farouk Ben Mustapha and into the Tunisia net with seconds to spare.

Jamie Vardy, on the other hand, did not feature from the bench for England, with Southgate looking to Marcus Rashford and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, replacing Raheem Sterling and Dele Alli respectively. 

England sit second in Group G on three points, behind Belgium on goal difference, who defeated Panama 3-0 earlier on Monday, courtesy of a Dries Mertens strike and Romelu Lukaku's brace.

City's representation in Russia could continue on Tuesday when Shinji Okazaki's Japan tackle Colombia at Mordovia Arena in Group H (1pm BST kick-off). The Three Lions, meanwhile, will next face Panama on Sunday at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium (1pm BST kick-off).