England captain Harry Kane accused the Tunisian defence of using cynical tactics to try and halt England in their opening World Cup game, as he suggested his last gasp goal in a 2-1 win ensured justice was served in Volgograd.
Tunisia were handed a penalty in the first half as Kyle Walker fouled Fakhreddine Ben Youssef inside the penalty area, with VAR confirming the decision.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Kane felt that England could have had two penalties of their own and suggested that his late winner was reward for perseverance.
"We could have had a couple of penalties, especially when you look at theirs. A few corners, they were trying to grab, hold and stop us running," said Kane.
"Maybe a bit of justice to score at the back post at the end. That's football, that's the ref. It showed good character to get on with it.
The pressure was on England in Group G after Belgium had thrashed Panama 3-0 earlier.
"I'm really proud. We did a lot of work on training field and were itching to play. Get the nerves and excitement out of the play.
"It's massive to get the win. I'm so proud of the lads. It’s tough. We played so well especially in the first half and we could have scored a few more. We kept going. It's a World Cup, you go to the last second. I'm absolutely buzzing.
Tunisia coach hailed Kane as the optimal striker. "I think he was behind the victory of the English team. It was him who was always there at the right time. He is the optimal striker," coach Nabil Maaloul was quoted by Reuters as saying.
"The spaces that were created by Kane were very scary to us," added Maaloul, a former Tunisia midfielder.
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