England record a narrow 2-1 victory over the Super Eagles
- England defeat Nigeria by 2-1 in a warm up match played at the Wembley Stadium
- Gary Cahill and Harry Kane got the goals for the Three Lions in the first half
- The Nigerian team came stronger in the second half as Alex Iwobi pulled one back
The England national team defeated the Super Eagles of Nigeria by 2-1 in a pre-World Cup friendly match played at Wembley Stadium.
Chelsea defender Gary Cahill opened the scoring with a header early in the match as the Three Lions produced a dominant first half display.
Captain Harry Kane scored the second after his shot slipped through Francis Uzoho's armpit as England doubled the advantage.
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England should have scored more but Uzoho made several brilliant saves for Nigeria to keep a respective half time score.
Nigeria came back into the match in the second 45 minutes with more purpose as their persistence paid off two minutes after the restart.
Alex Iwobi pounced on an Odion Ighalo's shot that rebounded off the upright as the Arsenal attacker was at the right place and at the right time to close the gap to 2-1.
The half time substitution that saw Etebo, Omeruo, Ogu and Ebuehi changed the complexion of the game as Gernot Rohr's men dominated most part of the match.
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Chances came begging for the Green and White men but England held on to claim a slim win over the three-time African champions.
Iwobi was exceptional in the match for the Eagles as he completed several dribbles in the entertaining encounter at the famous Wembley Stadium.
The team will leave for Austria venue of their last friendly match against the Czech Republic that will be played on June, 6.
After the match, Gernot Rohr will announce his final 23-man squad that will represent Nigeria at the Russia 2018 World Cup.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng had earlier reported that captain of the side, Mikel Obi, said that the team have no excuse not to do well at the football's world showpiece in Russia.
He said that since he joined the national team in 2005, it has been so far the best in terms of discipline.
The former Chelsea star also said that their bonuses and allowances have been paid in full, something he is giving the credit to the Nigeria Football Federation.
Super Eagles Score 1:1 with DR Congo Team Simba in Port Harcout - on Legit.ng TV
Below are the live updates from the pre-World Cup friendly between England and Nigeria covered by Legit.ng
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90+4' Referee ends the epic encounter as England run away with a 2-1 victory.
90+2' Welbecks tries to beat Troost-Ekong but changes his mind for a cross but Rose was caught off side.
90' Nigeria playing more confidently but they need to get the goal as soon as possible.
88' Mikel dazzles three players in midfield as he finds Musa on the right who delivers a cross but Pickford punches
86' A pin-point cross from Delph to Rashford but the ball loops over the ball.
84' A diagonal ball from the defence to Idowu on the left but too strong for the left-back.
82' SUBSTITUTION! Fabian Delph comes in for Dele Alli as he is booed off by the Nigerian fans.
80' The game still at 2-1 but the Super Eagles need be in a hurry as the match is going into the last 10 minutes.
78' Troost-Ekong with a vital tackle on Welback.
77' Musa gets into the book after a tackle from behind on Loftus-Cheek.
76' SUBSTITUTION! Kelechi Iheanacho for Odion Ighalo
74' A clash of heads between Omeruo and Etebo as the match has been stopped.
73' SUBSTITUTION! Macus Rashford and Danny Welbeck comes on for Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling.
71' The Nigerian defence averts danger from a Loftus-Cheek's cross which beat everyone in goal but defended well.
69' Iwobi again with a lovely piece of trickery like his uncle Jay Jay and the fans applaud.
69' Ogu with another run in midfield again as he finds Musa who squares the ball but Ighalo was just a second late for the pass.
67' SUBSTITUTION! Reuben Loftus-Cheek for Lingard and Danny Rose for Ashley Young
66' Nigeria playing with more purpose as they push forward for the equalizer. Ebuehi races clear on the right and crosses but too strong for Ighalo.
64' A clumsy challenge on Ighalo from Walker but the referee should have let play go on as Musa runs into the box with the ball.
63' SUBSTITUTION! Ahmed Musa comes on for Moses.
62' England push forward as they win the corner. Eric Dier runs into the ball but could not get the direction he needed. The ball goes wide for a Nigeria goal kick.
60' We are on the hour mark as the scores remain 2-1 to England but the Nigerian team are the more likely team to score.
59' Ebuehi with the one-two from Moses and he wins the corner. England head the corner away as they try to counter but Idowu intercepts Sterling beautifully.
57' lovely piece of defending from Idowu as he shows Harry Kane a piece of his skill.
56' Nigeria are now playing tlike they did in the qualifiers. Moses with the chances but his effort goes skywards.
54' Ogu runs into the England half but could not find Ighalo. The fans at the Wembley Stadium cheering the Eagles on.
52' CHANCE! Sterling throws himself into the ground looking for a penalty as the Italian referee shows him the first yellow card of the match.
51' Now we have a game in our hands as the half time talk seemed to have fired up the Super Eagles.
50' Another corner from Moses but headed away. Lovely piece of skill from Moses as Kane fin himself on the floor.
48' Idowu wins a corner for Nigeria. Moses steps up to take. Ogu with the header but it did not trouble pickford in goal.
47' Ighalo shoots as then ball hits the upright but Iwobi reacts brilliantly with the clinical finish.
47' GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAL!
46' The match resumes as Nigeria launch an immediate attack through Moses.
46' SUBSTITUTION! John Ogu, Tyronne Ebuehi, OgheneKaro Etebo and Kenneth Omeruo come on for Balogun, Onazi, Shehu and Joel Obi
46' Nigeria begin the second half with a substitution.
45+1' The referee blows the whistle for half time.
45' Nigeria with the attack with Moses who delivers the step overs and shoots but a comfortable catch for Pickford.
43' The way Gernot Rohr's team have played have been very disappointing. They seem to be no match for the Three Lions.
41' England in full control of the match as they dictate the pace of the match.
39' The Nigerian defence back tracking as Harry Kane strikes with power as the ball forces its way into Uzoho's arm pit. It's 2-0 to England.
39' GOOOOOOAAAAAAAAL!
37' CHANCE! England with the counter as Sterling shot breezes one past Uzoho but not on target.
37' " all we are saying, give us one goal" chants at the wembley Stadium by the Nigerian fans but England as asking the questions more than the visitors.
37' Ighalo twists and turns but his shot is blocked by John Stones.
36' Lovely piece of skill from Iwobi as his low cross causes confusion in the box but to no avail.
35' Young with the corner as Uzoho punches the ball clear, the ball is drilled in back but the referee calls for an infrigment.
34' England still hold a 1-0 lead against Nigeria.
33' Another save from Uzoho as he cleverly anticipates a cross from Sterling.
32' It's been sloppy from the Nigeria team as the West Africans have been unable to get a hold in the midfield.
30' Uzoho has been the busier of the two goal keepers. England opens up Nigerian again as Alli runs to a through ball but his pass could not find Lingard as Balogun intercepts.
29' Lingard and Alli combine again as Uzoho comes out with the block for England's fifth corner. The defence heads clear and another cross from Young is saved by Uzoho.
28' The Nigerian team gradually getting into the game but there seem to be no leadership in the team.
27' Ighalo finds his way into the box and shoots but Cahill blocks the ball and Moses was unable to follow up from the rebound.
26' Moses wins the ball in midfield but Ighalo gets in his way as the ball rolls in touch for a throw to Nigeria.
25' A through ball to Igahlo but too long as Jordan Pickford comes out for an easy catch.
23' The Super Eagles have been unable to play the ball outside their half as the Three Lions block the available spaces.
20' Onazi concedes another free kick as Young stand behind the ball. The defence heads clear and Uzoho comes out to make a clean catch from a Dele Alli's cross.
19' Wonderful combination play from Kane and Sterling as the Man City striker finds Young who tries to chip Uzoho but the 19-year-old was equal to the task.
17' Joel Obi concedes a free kick as England restart the match. England throw another attacking threat from the left but well read by Balogun and Shehu.
14' Mikel finds Ighalo with a long pass but the referee's assistant flags off side.
14' England making it difficult for Nigeria to settle into the match as they win possession of the ball on several occasions.
13' The Nigeria defence is exposed again as Sterling meets Uzoho on a one-on-one situation but shoots wide.
12' Sterling mesmerizes and shoots as Balogun blocks for another corner. Uzoho punches a header but saves the ball a second time.
11' A long pass to Lingard but Shehu shields the Man united striker for another England corner.
9' Nigeria begin proceedings as they play with more purpose. Nigeria finding it difficult to connect three, four, passes together.
7' Cahill rises highest and heads into the roof of the net as Onazi was beaten on the left pole from the resulting corner.
7' GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAL!
5' But the referee give England a free kick in a promising position. Trippier takes it but Uzoho fists it away for a corner to England.
4' Oh! A clash of heads between Joel Obi and Leon Balogun. The referee stops the match as they both get help from the medics.
3' England kick the ball around from the blast of the whistle as the Super Eagles patiently keep calm.
1' The match gets underway as England start with the kick off.and Nigeria will be playing from left to right.
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- England set host Nigeria in an international friendly at the Wembley Stadium
- Both sides have met three times but the Three Lions hold the advantage
- The Super Eagles will also be trading tackles with the Czech Republic on June, 6
The Super Eagles will be filing out against the England national team at the Wembley Stadium on Saturday, June, 2, in an international friendly.
This will be Gareth Southgate's first test since he announced his final 23-man list that will play at the World Cup.
On the other hand, Gernot Rohr has just two players to drop from the 25-man team that traveled to London to honour the warm up match against the Three Lions.
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Both teams have met on three occasions in history as England hold the advantage with a win and two draws, while the Super Eagles are yet to record a victory.
Reports have confirmed that Gent winger, Moses Simon, will not be making the party to the World Cup because of a hamstring injury.
The three-time African champions played out a 1-1 draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo in Port Harcourt.
The team will also be trading tackles with the Czech Republic on June, 6, at the Rudolf Tonn Stadium in Austria.
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Nigeria have been grouped alongside Argentina, Croatia and Iceland while England will be locking horns with Belgium, Tunisia and Panama.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng had earlier reported that there have been a long queue of Nigerian fans waiting to purchase a copy of the Super Eagles jersey in Oxford, London.
Super Eagles line up: Uzoho, Idowu, Troost-Ekong, Balogun, Onazi, Mikel, Joel Obi, Abdulahi, Ighalo, Moses, Iwobi
England line up: Pickford, Cahill, Stones, Trippier, Walker, Young, Dier, Sterling, Lingard, Ali, Kane
Match: England vs Nigeria
Venue: Wembley Stadium
Time: 5:15pm (Nigerian time)
Super Eagles Score 1:1 with DR Congo Team Simba in Port Harcout - on Legit.ng TV
Source: Legit.ng
