Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended

1490555077

England vs Lithuania as it happened: Jermain Defoe and Jamie Vardy earn routine England win

Re-live the World Cup qualifier at Wembley

In association with

Wembley

Sunday 26 March 2017 12:04 BST

England striker Jermain Defoe made a scoring return to the international stage and substitute Jamie Vardy added a second goal as the hosts laboured to a 2-0 victory over Lithuania in World Cup qualifying Group F on Sunday.

Veteran Defoe, making his first appearance for nearly 3-1/2 years, fired lacklustre England ahead in the 21st minute at Wembley but Gareth Southgate's team struggled to finish off a Lithuania side who are 93 places lower in the FIFA rankings.

England survived a couple of worrying moments and had to wait until the 66th minute to double their lead when Defoe's replacement Vardy finished neatly shortly after coming on.

Relive England's routine victory below...

Which players impressed at Wembley?

England vs Lithuania player ratings

Show all 13

1/13England vs Lithuania player ratings

England vs Lithuania player ratings

Joe Hart - 5 out of 10

Had absolutely nothing to do in the first-half, and yet still very nearly managed to fluff his lines. Haring off his line to punch a long pass clear, he was beaten to the ball by Nerijus Valskis and was relieved to see John Stones booting his header off the line.

Getty Images

England vs Lithuania player ratings

Kyle Walker – 6 out of 10

Given license to press forward at every opportunity, Walker had a mixed first-half before growing into the game later on. He helped set up England's second goal with a good burst forward and almost set up Dele Alli for a third moments later.

Getty Images

England vs Lithuania player ratings

John Stones – 7 out of 10

Has been increasingly impressive for Manchester City in recent weeks and continued his good form at Wembley. Like Keane he had very little work to do defensively but he was superb bringing the ball forward and starting England’s attacks. Incredibly, he barely misplaced a pass during the entire match.

Getty Images

England vs Lithuania player ratings

Michael Keane - 6 out of 10

Had remarkably little to do in defence after a solid debut away to Germany on Wednesday night. Hit several inch-perfect diagonal passes. Looks like he belongs at this level.

AFP/Getty Images

England vs Lithuania player ratings

Ryan Bertrand - 6 out of 10

Stationed so far forward that he often looked as if he was playing as a left-winger in a 4-3-3 system. Saw a lot of the ball in the first-half but occasionally wasteful in possession, and his final ball was often lacking. Unlikely to replace Danny Rose in Southgate’s staring XI when the Tottenham defender returns.

Getty Images

England vs Lithuania player ratings

Eric Dier – 7 out of 10

Another assured display from England’s utility man. Showed great tactical awareness to regularly flit between a role in England’s defence and their midfield, and dealt confidently with Lithuania’s aerial threat. Very tidy with the ball at his feet.

AFP/Getty Images

England vs Lithuania player ratings

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 6 out of 10

An industrious performance, albeit not groundbreaking in any way. When Southgate named his starting XI it was assumed Oxlade-Chamberlain would be deployed out wide but instead he sat in central midfield alongside Eric Dier. Saw a well-struck long-shot nicely saved in the second-half.

AFP/Getty Images

England vs Lithuania player ratings

Adam Lallana – 8 out of 10

Comfortably England’s best player. Ran confidently between the lines to draw out Lithuania’s deep defence and hit a number of impressive in-swinging crosses into the box to test their goalkeeper. Set up England’s second with a sublime flick into the path of Jamie Vardy.

Getty Images

England vs Lithuania player ratings

Dele Alli – 6 out of 10

After an impressive display against Germany earlier in the week, Alli struggled to make much of an impression at Wembley. Was on the receiving end of some very rough treatment from Lithuania’s defenders and generally took a backseat as Sterling and Lallana impressed.

AFP/Getty Images

England vs Lithuania player ratings

Raheem Sterling – 7 out of 10

Made a very bright start before fading in the second-half, where he was quickly replaced by Marcus Rashford. Created England’s goal by beating his man and hitting a superb low pass across the face of goal for Defoe to finish.

Getty

England vs Lithuania player ratings

Jermain Defoe – 7 out of 10

Southgate took a gamble when he handed Defoe his first England call-up since 2013. Twenty minutes into this match and his decision was validated. Smashed home from close-range with confidence for his 20th international goal, and looked lively throughout.

Getty Images

England vs Lithuania player ratings

Jamie Vardy - 6 out of 10

Replaced Jermain Defoe with half an hour left to play and did very well, linking up nicely with Alli and calmly finishing when played through by Lallana for England's second.

Getty

England vs Lithuania player ratings

Marcus Rashford - 7 out of 10

Did exactly what you expect from a thirty minute Marcus Rashford cameo. Terrorised his marker, repeatedly cut inside and was desperately unlucky not to score, or assist a goal.

Getty

England's next four fixtures...

vs Scotland (A). June 10. World Cup qualifier.
vs France (A). June 13. Friendly.
vs Malta (A). September 1. World Cup qualifier.
vs Slovakia (H). September 4. World Cup qualifier.

What did our man Jack Pitt-Brooke learn at Wembley this evening? Well, that Adam Lallana is fast becoming one of England's most important players, for one thing...

If Dele Alli is the heartbeat of this England team then Adam Lallana is the brains. The Liverpool midfielder is one of the most improved players in his generation, remarkable for continuing to improve through his mid and late 20s.

Even more hearteningly, he is taking his Liverpool form into England duty with him, which is something few players do. Here again he was England’s creative genius, playing clever passes in behind the well drilled Lithuanian defence.

He nearly put Defoe through in the first half but he eventually got his assist, playing in Jamie Vardy with a brilliantly disguised touch, setting up England’s second goal.

You can read the rest of his post-match analysis here:

Five things we learned from England's routine win over Lithuania

Vithushan Ehantharajah26 March 2017 19:28

And here's Ian Herbert's match report from Wembley Stadium:

Jermain Defoe reminds a certain captain what can be done beyond 30That brings our live coverage to a close, thanks very much for joining us this evening.

Vithushan Ehantharajah26 March 2017 19:34

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies