England enjoyed a quick start to the second half, causing problems from a set piece and Oxlade-Chamberlain picking out Kane with a cross only for the 22-year-old to be thwarted first by a low save from the goalkeeper and then a fine, last-ditch block courtesy of Freidgeimas.
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England manager Roy Hodgson has confirmed that Phil Jagielka will captain England against Lithuania on Monday, creating a bit of Everton history in the process.
The road to next summer’s European Championship has proven a cakewalk for the Three Lions, highlighted by the fact they were the first nation to secure their place in France.
Roy Hodgson is planning a “very interesting” line-up against Lithuania as England look to go through a qualification campaign with a 100 per cent record for the first time ever.
“I don’t think (we will approach them with any trepidation)”.
The artificial pitch in Lithuania was making it hard for either side to string many cutting edge passes together, such was the true run of the ball, but the visitors coped well enough and doubled their lead shortly before half time as Harry Kane’s shot rebounded off the post, before hitting the back of the keeper’s head and nestling into the back of the net for an unfortunate own goal.
Lithuania boss Igoris Pankratjevas resigned immediately after his side concluded their Euro 2016 qualification campaign with a home defeat to England.
Hodgson’s men have swatted away sides easily and will enter the record books if they finish Group E with a win in Vilnius today.
Euro 2016 in France will be a huge challenge for England as they always fail to impress at the biggest worldwide tournaments. “It’s up to us who get the chance to go and prove ourselves and put a performance on”.
England have only won by the odd goal in Estonia and Slovenia with far stronger and experienced line-ups than that expected against Lithuania.
However, the Lithuanian goalkeeper played a great game and he managed to protect his team from conceding more goals.
There will be wholesale changes to the England lineup for this match, with regulars Joe Hart, Gary Cahill, James Milner, Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney having all been allowed to leave the camp. “If we concentrate and play properly we can do well”, he said.
“The gameplan from day one was to win all 10 games and we have done it. We have good youth coming through and hopefully if we can nurture it we could have something special”.
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“Jamie Vardy came on the other night and we are probably looking to see him, if not from the start at a few stage during the game”.
