Raheem Sterling saves England’s blushes with a 1-Zero win in Iceland as Birkir Bjarnasan skies stoppage time penalty over the bar

England held on to safe a 1-Zero win away to Iceland of their opening Nations League fixture which noticed each groups end the sport with ten males.

Raheem Sterling coolly tucked away a penalty within the 91^st minute of the sport after an extremely harsh handball was given towards Sverrir Ingi Ingason – which noticed the defender decide up his second reserving.

However justice seemed as if it might prevail when Joe Gomez was adjudged to have dedicated a foul contained in the field minutes after the restart, regardless of replays suggesting it was exterior the field.

Birkir Bjanrasan skied a 93^rd minute penalty over the bar for the hosts to go away the previous Aston Villa midfielder virtually inconsolable as a relieved Gareth Southgate celebrated.

The Three Lions boss picked a youthful aspect for the sport; Phil Foden began in midfield and Mason Greenwood acquired his first cap from the bench.

However trusted lieutenant Kyle Walker noticed pink for the guests for a rash sort out with 20 minutes remaining resulted in him selecting up a second reserving, the final time he performed for his nation he scored an personal purpose towards the Netherlands.

Ultimately, it’s three factors and invaluable expertise gained on the street for Southgate and his younger lions as they search to enhance on their third positioned end on this match final summer season.

Given how it’s 10 months since this crew has performed collectively, it’s maybe no shock there have been clear indicators of rust.

Southgate will now take his males to Copenhagen for Tuesday’s conflict with Denmark within the hope they’ll ship a extra convincing efficiency away from residence.

England have been nothing like their free-flowing greatest at Laugardalsvollur, the place the absence of a video assistant referee meant Kane’s early opener remained dominated out for offside.

That was the closest Southgate’s aspect acquired in a primary half through which they loved 76 per cent of possession however struggled to create, even with playmaker Foden making his first begin.

Iceland have been defending resolutely and England’s afternoon was made all of the harder when Walker picked up a second reserving with 20 minutes remaining.

Danny Ings and debutant Greenwood got here on in a bid to spark a late winner, which arrived on the demise after Sverrir Ingason was adjudged to have dealt with Sterling’s shot.

The Iceland man was given a second reserving and the England ahead rolled residence the penalty.

However the drama didn’t cease there. Joe Gomez gave Iceland the prospect to degree from their very own penalty, however former Aston Villa midfielder Bjarnason missed the goal.