England manager Roy Hodgson was pleased with the composure his side showed to come back from a goal down and beat Slovenia 3-1 at Wembley on Saturday evening.
The Three Lions went into Saturday’s qualifier boasting a 100% record and having not conceded a goal in their previous three Group E matches, but after a goalless first half the visitors took a surprise lead when midfielder Jordan Henderson deflected a free kick past his own goalkeeper Joe Hart to put the Slovenians one up.
It was the first goal the side ranked 20th in the world had conceded in any match since Luis Suarez scored against them for Uruguay in the World Cup in Brazil, but the 67-year-old coach was pleased with how his side responded.
He said: “It was a real cold shower to go a goal down but we got back so quickly, that confidence helped lead to the next few goals. We could have had a few more then.”
Captain Wayne Rooney marked his 100th cap for his country by scoring a quick fire equaliser from the penalty spot. The Manchester United forward won the penalty himself just two minutes after the hosts had conceded the opening goal.
From there the hosts seized the initiative against their opponents ranked 16 places below them in the world rankings, with Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck bagging a brace, his fourth and fifth goals of the qualifying campaign.
The 1966 World Cup winners now turn their attention to an illustrious friendly with old rivals Scotland on Tuesday night.
The oldest match in international football dates back to 1872 and the last meeting of the sides took place last year and finished 3-2 to the English, with odds of 35.00 for the Hodgson’s men to repeat such a score line.
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