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As it happenedended

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

The return of Jermain Defoe

Defoe returns to the England team for the first time since November 2013, having enjoyed a fine campaign thus far during which he has scored 14 Premier League goals despite Sunderland languishing rock bottom of the Premier League.

His last goal for the Three Lions? A brace in an 8-0 thumping of San Marino, in March 2013. England went on to qualify for the 2014 World Cup but Defoe was surprisingly overlooked for a place in the squad, and hasn't featured for England since. Until now!

Vithushan Ehantharajah26 March 2017 16:42

Southgate is very happy for England starters Defoe and Keane, courtesy of ITV:

Jermain Defoe is very excited. He's a senior player with a point to prove. He's impressed us all this week.
The formation we had already decided on. It was a plus how Michael Keane played in Germany. It's a great day for him - I think it's his Wembley debut.

Vithushan Ehantharajah26 March 2017 16:45

Southgate also had the following to say on the late, great, Graham Taylor, who is being commemorated ahead of this match.

The one regret is that I hope he understood how well revered he was. Hopefully this is a special day for his family.

Vithushan Ehantharajah26 March 2017 16:47

There will also be a minute's silence here at Wembley in memory of those who lost their lives during last week's terror attack on Parliament, along with a pre-match wreath laying ceremony. England's players are wearing black armbands.

Vithushan Ehantharajah26 March 2017 16:49

Wembley expects...

This match is, officially, a sellout, although with five minutes remaining until kick-off there are still a fair few empty seats. There will be a lot of attention on how England's fans conduct themselves after the unsavoury events in Dortmund earlier this week, although it's a very good natured atmosphere so far.

Vithushan Ehantharajah26 March 2017 16:54

Here come the teams! Joe Hart leads out England and it's time for the anthems.

Vithushan Ehantharajah26 March 2017 16:56

Lithuania's anthem very well observed.

Thank god.

Vithushan Ehantharajah26 March 2017 16:58

There is also a minute's silence for the victims of this week's terror attack in Westminster, which is just as well observed.

England win the toss and will kick-off.

Vithushan Ehantharajah26 March 2017 17:03

1 min: Here we go! Defoe kicks-off, Walker and Bertrand immediately hare forward down the wings, and we're away!

England play some keep ball before Oxlade-Chamberlain's slack pass is intercepted by Slavickas. But England soon have the ball back, through Keane.

Vithushan Ehantharajah26 March 2017 17:04

Vithushan Ehantharajah26 March 2017 17:05

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